GEORGE TOWN: Three men and two women from Iran have been charged in separate Magistrates' Courts here with various offences, including theft, drug possession and overstaying in the country.
Tarfi Ghader, 33, pleaded not guilty to two counts of stealing RM400 in cash from a foreign tourist at a convenience store at 9.40pm on Aug 1 and US$260 from another foreign tourist at Gurney Drive at 7.45pm on July 30.
Both charges came under Section 379 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of seven years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Tarfi, along with his four compatriots, Fazeli Payam, 33; Dinarvand Siavash, 28; Zahra Hasani, 30; and Sara Ghiyas, 19, also pleaded not guilty to a charge of possessing 5g of cannabis at an apartment in Batu Ferringhi at 12.30am on Aug 3.
The charge, framed under Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, provides for a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
Meanwhile, Tarfi, Fazeli and Zahra also pleaded not guilty to overstaying in the country without valid reasons, an offence under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963, which carries a fine of not less than RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
The charges were read in Persian before Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi, who denied them bail and fixed Oct 9 for case mention.
In a separate court, Dinarvand pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Muhammad Amzar Ismail to stealing RM1,000 in cash from a foreign tourist at a shopping mall at 9.20pm on July 30, under Section 379 of the Penal Code.
Tarfi and Fazeli also claimed trial to drug abuse charges under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 or up to two years' jail.
Muhammad Amzar denied bail to all the accused and fixed Oct 1 for case mention.
Before Magistrate Siti Nurul Suhaila Baharin, Dinarvand and Sara also pleaded not guilty to overstaying in the country without valid reasons, under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act. Both of them were also denied bail. – Bernama
