A-G files appeal in damaged idols case
THE STAR
Free for now: Fathi leaving the Sessions Court in Ipoh.
KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution is appealing against the freeing of a medical graduate charged with damaging Hindu idols at the Sree Muneeswaran Amman temple in Ipoh.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, in a statement yesterday, said the Sessions Court judge decided that the accused, Fathi Munzir Nadzri, 29, had committed an offence under Section 295 of the Penal Code.
However, the judge found him to be mentally unstable at the time.
“Therefore, the judge made the decision under Section 347 of the Penal Code read together with Section 348, to acquit the accused with a warning and that he be placed under the care of his family.
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“The prosecution is dissatisfied with the Sessions Court judge’s decision and has today, filed an appeal against that decision,” Mohamed Apandi said, adding that the appeal was filed in the Ipoh High Court.
On Wednesday, Sessions judge Ikmal Hishan Mohd Tajuddin ruled that it was clearly proven that Fathi Munzir had committed the offence, but a psychiatrist confirmed that the accused was suffering from Bipolar Affective Disorder with Psychotic Features Manic Phase.
“The accused committed the offence but on the balance of probabilities, he was found to have done it while he was in an unstable state of mind and did not know that his action was unlawful,” the judge said.
Fathi Munzir was charged with damaging the idols at the temple in front of the Angsana Mall in Ipoh at 5pm on April 24, this year.
The offence under Section 295 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to two years or a fine, or both.
The court also acquitted and discharged Fathi Munzir of a charge of having a machete at the same place and date. — Bernama
