Giving support to IS through Facebook: Man's trial begins
Published on: Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: The trial of a 25-year-old local man charged with two counts of committing terrorist-related offences began at the High Court here Tuesday.Aszroy Achoi, a Bajau, is accused of knowingly giving support to the Islamic State (IS) terror group on a Facebook account under the name of Yohyo Illa'nun AlSaba Malizia, which belonged to him between July 5, 2016 and July 19 the same year at Kg Kota Bungan, Jalan Kudat in Kota Belud.The offence under Section 130J(1)(a) of the Penal Code carries an imprisonment for life or jail of up to 30 years or with a fine and liability of forfeiture of any property used or intended to be used in connection with the commission of the offence if convicted.
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On the second count, Aszroy, who does menial work, allegedly had 43 pieces of images associated with IS in a smartphone at 10am on July 24, 2016 at the Special Branch's room in the Kota Belud Police Headquarters.The charge under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to seven years or fine and liability of forfeiture of any such images.He had on Jan 9 this year claimed trial before Judge Ravinthran N.Paramaguru to both charges.Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Muhammad Fazlan Mohd Noor in tendering the opening address to the court, said the prosecution would present oral and documentary evidence to show that on the date as stated in both charges, Aszroy had knowingly given support to IS through his Facebook account and had in his possession items associated with the IS in his mobile phone.
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Muhammad Fazlan also said the prosecution would present oral and documentary evidence to show that, firstly, Aszroy had knowledge in giving support to IS, secondly, that Aszroy supported IS using social media, thirdly, that Aszroy is the owner of the FB account under the name of Yohyo Illa'nun AlSaba Malizia and lastly, that IS is a terrorist group.The prosecution would also present oral and documentary evidence to show that firstly, Aszroy had in his possession, items associated with the terrorist group in his black Samsung mobile phone, secondly, that the items i.e. 43 images are items associated with IS and lastly that the IS is a terrorist group.
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Muhammad Fazlan further said that the prosecution would then prove all the ingredients of the offences against the accused beyond reasonable doubt through oral and documentary evidence.The prosecution would also be relying on the evidence of an expert in terrorism and the statement made by Aszroy, he said.Meanwhile, the first prosecution witness, DSP Sufian Ali, who is attached to the E8 operational intelligence in the Counter Terrorism Division of the Bukit Aman Special Branch said he had on June 26, 2016 at 8.05am received information from a source about Aszroy who was believed to be involved in security offences.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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