9-4-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) A Malaysian woman and her husband found themselves facing separate charges for allegedly supplying weapons to an Israeli national, marking a significant development in an ongoing legal saga. Sharifah Faraha Syed Husin, 41, and her spouse Abdul Azim Mohd Yasin, 43, appeared before Judge Sharifah Hascindie Syed Omar at the Sessions Court here, where they were charged under Sections 8 and 9 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act.
Sharifah Faraha faced charges under Section 8 for possessing a Luger pistol CZ 75 P-01 CAL.9 with serial number A216210, while Abdul Azim was charged under Section 9 for knowingly associating with his wife, who possessed the aforementioned weapon.
Both defendants, representing themselves, pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, they could face a maximum jail term of 14 years along with a minimum of six strokes of the whip.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Mohammad Fakhrurrazi Ahmad Salim and Fazeedah Faik presented the case on behalf of the prosecution. Due to the non-bailable nature of the offences, both defendants were remanded into police custody.
The alleged offences took place at a residence on Jalan Haji Omar, Kampung Bukit Belimbing, Kuala Selangor, around 8pm on March 29, as stated in the charge sheet. The couple was apprehended by authorities at a Ramadan bazaar in Kuala Selangor on the same day.
Earlier reports suggested that Israeli national Shalom Avitan was detained at a hotel in Ampang on March 27, where he was found in possession of a cache of weapons, including six guns and 200 bullets. Avitan, reportedly entering the country on a French passport but possessing an Israeli one, was suspected of receiving arms from Sharifah Faraha and Abdul Azim.
Avitan claimed to be in Malaysia to resolve a family dispute and denied espionage allegations. Hebrew-language media outlets labelled him as part of an underworld crime family tasked with targeting a rival faction also present in Malaysia.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain announced that Avitan is expected to be formally charged soon, pending ongoing investigations into his motives. Additional information is being gathered by the authorities as they delve deeper into the complexities of the case.
