Tight security as Avitan is taken to court

Tense situation: Avitan being escorted by a police convoy to the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex prior to being charged with firearms and ammunition possession. – LOW BOON TAT/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The air was thick with anticipation as pressmen camped in front of the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex, where Israeli Shalom Avitan was to be charged with possession of firearms and ammunition.

Reporters began gathering outside the court complex at around 6.45am to wait for Avitan, who was expected to arrive by 8am.Blaring sirens were heard at around 8.09am as the police convoy approached the court complex.

Two minutes later, Avitan was brought out of an armoured police truck.Dressed in a black T-shirt, khaki-coloured cargo pants and black mask, Avitan hung his head low as a team of Criminal Investigation Department officers in full tactical gear and balaclavas escorted the alleged mobster.

Many of the police personnel escorting him were armed with submachine guns.The 38-year-old suspect appeared calm as he was brought into the courtroom.He was then placed in the dock, surrounded by four policemen in tactical gear.

After he was charged, Avitan was taken to the courthouse lock-up.

The police convoy believed to be carrying Avitan was seen leaving the court complex at around 10.50am.

Avitan is the third person to be charged following his arrest on March 27.

A couple allegedly linked to Avitan had earlier claimed trial at the Klang Sessions Court to a charge of firearms possession on April 8.

Abdul Azim Mohd Yasin, 43, and his wife Syarifah Faraha Syed Husin, 41, pleaded not guilty to an offence under the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 before Sessions Court judge Sharifah Hascindie Syed Omar.

Syarifah Faraha was accused of illegally possessing a CZ75 P-01 CAL.9 Luger while her husband was accused of being aware of his wife’s possession of the illegal weapon by virtue of being with her.No bail was offered to the pair as the charge is a non-bailable offence.

Prior to this, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the investigation paper on the couple was opened under Section 7 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971.

“The case was initially investigated under the Passport Act 1966 when Avitan was arrested.

“(However) our investigation revealed more serious offences.

“He and the married couple in their early 40s are being investigated under the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971,” Razarudin told a press conference in Bukit Aman on April 2.

Syarifah Faraha and Abdul Azim were arrested at a Ramadan bazaar in Kuala Selangor at about 7.15pm on March 29.

The suspects then led police to their home in Kuala Selangor, where the authorities seized another pistol, which was kept in a sling bag.