KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 13): The prosecution has on Friday applied for a joint trial at the High Court for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s former aide Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, who is facing a charge for trafficking cannabis, and a charge for possession of two fake pistols.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Mohd Sabri Othman informed judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussein that the prosecution wants to apply for a joint trial of both cases.
Mohd Sabri also said that the prosecution had also handed documents in relation to the drug trafficking charge to the defence on Friday, and would hand over documents with regard to the fake pistols at another date.
Following this, the DPP added that the prosecution had asked for another mention date.
Defence counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali confirmed with Jamil that it has received the required documents with regard to the purported drug-trafficking case.
Rafique also asked that trial dates for the matter be fixed by the court, but Mohd Sabri requested for a mention date to be given first.
Following this, Jamil fixed Jan 7 for mention.
Yusoff was charged at the Magistrate’s Court on Sept 12, for allegedly trafficking 305 grammes of cannabis, and on Oct 9, he was charged with possession of imitation pistols at a roadside near a condominium in Bukit Kiara, here, at 9.25am on Sept 6.
The drug charge under Section 39B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 is punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same Act, which carries a life sentence and also whipping of not less than 12 lashes, if convicted.
For the second charge, if the accused is found guilty under Section 36 (1) of the Arms Act 1960 for the fake pistol possession, he faces a maximum imprisonment term of a year, or a maximum fine of up to RM5,000, or both.
The former political aide had claimed the charge to be politically motivated, as he is suing Anwar for purported sexual assault, and that trial is scheduled to start in June next year.
Yusoff has also applied to be granted bail for the drug-trafficking charge.
Last month, the Magistrate’s Court had agreed to transfer Yusoff’s case to the High Court.