KUALA LUMPUR: Blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris (pic), also known as Papagomo, has been ordered to enter his defence on a charge of making seditious statements that incited hatred against His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
Sessions judge Norma Ismail made the ruling on Wednesday (Sept 24) after finding that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against the accused.
Lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali informed the court that the defence would call a single witness, namely Wan Muhammad Azri himself, during the proceedings.
Norma then set Nov 4 for the accused to testify in court.
On May 2 last year, Wan Muhammad Azri, who is also a former Umno Youth exco member, pleaded not guilty to posting a seditious publication on his X account over Sultan Ibrahim’s audience with the owner of KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd.
He was charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both, if convicted.
The trial, which began in October last year, saw testimony from nine prosecution witnesses. – Bernama
