KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has issued a warrant of arrest against one of eight individuals who were charged with kidnapping a Palestinian man, linked to a plot to design software to hack mobile phones.
Justice Mohd Arief Emran Arifin issued the warrant against Muhammad Iqmal Abdul Rahis, 31, after he failed to appear for the proceedings here yesterday.
Earlier, the judge had questioned Muhammad Iqmal’s bailor about his whereabouts.
The unnamed bailor told the court that efforts to locate him at an oil palm plantation were futile and that a police report has been lodged.
Deputy public prosecutor Zailin Nadia Zubir said efforts by the police to locate the accused since Sept 11 had failed.
“The police had gone to Tanjung Sepat, Kuala Langat and interviewed Muhammad Iqmal’s father who said that his son has not been home since January.
“They are still searching for him,” she said.
Following this, Justice Mohd Arief Emran forfeited the RM50,000 bail that was granted to the accused.
Apart from Muhammad Iqmal, seven other individuals involved are Tengku Arif Bongsu Tengku Hamid, 45, Mohamad Naziree Mustapha, 45, Faizull Hardey Mohd Isa, 47, Mohd Zaidi Mohd Zain, 60, Nidarahayu Zainal, 40, Raibafie Amdan, 45, and Edy Ko’im Said, 46.
The hearing of the case began on July 7 last year.
The trial resumes on Oct 12.
According to the charge sheets, all eight accused allegedly, with common intention, kidnapped the 31-year-old victim for confidential information on how to make and deactivate computer software to hack mobile phones.
The offence was allegedly committed at Jalan Mayang on Sept 28, 2022.
The charge under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961 carries a jail term of between 30 and 40 years and whipping, if convicted.
