Kuala Lumpur: The attorney-general (AG) has denied an Israeli national’s request for a review of gun trafficking and bullet possession charges brought against him.
Deputy public prosecutor Mustafa P Kunyalam informed sessions court judge Norina Zainol Abidin that Shalom Avitan’s representations, lodged earlier this month, have been rejected.
Mustafa also said the prosecution will be serving on Avitan’s lawyers several additional CCTV recording clips before the next mention date on Sept 2.
Meanwhile, defence lawyer Naran Singh told the court he is discharging himself from representing Avitan in this case due to personal reasons, one month after he was appointed to lead the defence.
Lawyer Jeffrey Ooi remains on record for the accused.
Norina then reminded both the prosecution and defence that the trial will commence as scheduled on Sept 30.
Avitan was slapped with a charge under Section 7(1) of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 for trafficking in six guns, as well as one charge under Section 8 of the Arms Act 1960 for possessing 200 bullets.
He faces a jail term of between 30 and 40 years and a maximum six strokes of the rotan, if found guilty of gun trafficking.
He also faces a maximum punishment of seven years in jail, a fine of no more than RM10,000, or both, upon conviction for bullet possession.
