Second appeal made to drop charges against Azmi, says lawyer

Law lecturer Dr Azmi Sharom had made a representation early this month to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to discontinue his sedition trial, lawyer Datuk Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said. He said the appeal to reconsider the charge was made after the prosecution closed its case before a Sessions Court judge on January 14. "After scrutinising the evidence given by four prosecution witnesses, we wrote to the A-G's Chambers," said Malik who appeared along Gobind Singh Deo to defend Azmi. A letter was sent to the AGC on February 2. Azmi had earlier sent a representation but was rejected. "The process has been trying for Azmi but we are happy the matter has come an end," he told The Malaysian Insider. Earlier today, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali issued a three-paragraph statement, saying he had decided to drop the charge against the Universiti Malaya academic after reviewing evidence from all prosecution witnesses. "For the sake of justice, and after reviewing evidence from all prosecution witnesses who had testified in court, I, the attorney-general and as the public prosecutor is using the discretion under Article 145 (3) of the Federal Constitution, to discontinue the prosecution of Associate Professor Dr Azmi Sharom to the charge under Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act 1948," he said in a statement today. He said a similar action was done to drop the sedition charge against DAP national vice-chairman Teresa Kok. On September 2, 2014, Azmi, was charged over his comments in an article titled "Take Perak crisis route for speedy end to Selangor impasse, Pakatan told" published in a news portal. Azmi was also charged with publishing seditious remarks about the same crisis. Both charges under Section 4(1)(b) and Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 carry a maximum fine of RM5,000 or prison of three years or both, if found guilty. Sessions Court judge Amernudin Ahmad was scheduled to hear on submissions on February 19, whether to order Azmi to enter defence or acquit him. Malik said the court would convene on that day to inform the trial judge of the A-G's decision. – February 12, 2016.]]>