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Daily Express
21 hours ago
- Daily Express
Syabu trafficking: Sarawakian escapes the gallows, jail term reduced
Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: The charge under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, carries the death sentence or imprisonment for life and whipping of not less than 15 strokes if not sentenced to death, on conviction. Kota Kinabalu: A 31-year-old Sarawakian, who was sentenced to death for trafficking 2,129.1gm of syabu, escaped the gallows and was ordered to serve 20 years' jail and 10 lashes of the cane, instead, on a lesser charge of drug possession. Court of Appeal Justices Datuk Azman Abdullah, Datuk Azhahari Kamal Ramli and Datuk Noorin Badaruddin, on Thursday allowed Anthony Chan Wei Onn's appeal against his conviction and death sentence. Advertisement The appellate court, in a unanimous decision, held that the High Court Judge had committed an appealable error in applying the presumption of possession at the end of the prosecution's case and applying the presumption of trafficking at the end of the defence's case. Azhahari held that the double presumption had gone against the principle in the case of Muhammad Hassan against PP, warranting appellate interference by the court. 'On this ground alone, we are of the opinion that the conviction under section 39B(1)(a) is not safe. 'However, from evidence adduced during the trial, we find sufficient evidence to support the conviction under section 39A(2) of the Dangerous Drug Act. In the circumstances, we set aside the conviction under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drug Act and substitute it with the conviction under Section 39A(2),' said Azhahari in delivering the decision. Advertisement On the sentence, he said the court had considered the facts and circumstances of the case, especially the weight involved in the present case, and had taken into account the sentencing trend as submitted by both the counsel and the prosecution as respondent. The court sentenced the appellant to 20 years' imprisonment with 10 strokes of the cane and ordered the imprisonment sentence to run from his date of arrest. On May 25, 2023, Chan, an air-conditioner repairman was found guilty by the High Court here of committing the offence on July 12, 2019, at 6.20pm at the J&T Express premises Jalan Lintas, here. The charge under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, carries the death sentence or imprisonment for life and whipping of not less than 15 strokes if not sentenced to death, on conviction. Earlier, counsel Hamid Ismail, representing Chan, raised three grounds in the appeal and submitted, among other things, that the trial judge had committed three material errors relating to the statutory presumptions. 'Firstly, the trial judge breached the principle of double presumptions. Secondly, the judge changed the presumption during the course of the trial. During the prosecution stage, the judge invoked presumed possession. 'But at the end of defence case, the trial judge invoked presumed trafficking. This shows uncertainty in the judge's mind on the applicable law. 'Thirdly, the trial judge made no indication at the end of prosecution case when ruling that a prima facie case had been established whether the defence was called on presumed possession and actual trafficking or vice versa,' said Hamid. 'If this Court accepts this ground, the appeal should be allowed and the conviction under Section 39B should be set aside and be substituted with conviction under section 39A(2),' he added, saying based on the trend of sentencing, 20 years is a proper period of imprisonment and 10 strokes of whipping. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Euronews
a day ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Spain's parliament turns chaotic as Sánchez and opposition trade barbs
The first parliamentary session in Spain since a top aide of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was implicated in a corruption scandal quickly turned chaotic, with various lawmakers calling on Sánchez to resign as political pressure mounts against him. Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, first left the chamber without listening to Sánchez, staring at him with contempt as he passed by. 'You are indecent. And not even your supporters have any doubt about that. All of Spain knows it. You are corrupt and a traitor,' said Abascal before leaving the chamber. Then, People's Party (PP) lawmakers banged their seats during the session on Wednesday, shouting "Resignation, resignation". The Spanish premier chose to deploy an offensive tactic, referencing corruption cases linked to other parties. Sánchez spoke of the Gürtel case, which implicated hundreds of PP officers, some of whom subsequently resigned, with corruption, including bribery, money laundering and tax evasion. The PP parliamentary caucus erupted, and the situation quickly turned chaotic, with Parliament Speaker Francina Armengol struggling to control the session. 'You are a president deeply trapped in a corruption scheme. No matter how much you disguise it, you are not the victim. The victims are the Spanish people,' said Alberto Núñez Feijóo, PP party president. 'You came to say you won't call elections because you would lose them. You don't have to save the Spanish people from themselves; the Spanish people have to save themselves from you, and they await your resignation letter,' he added. Sánchez then said that the only thing he's going to address is the PP corruption cases, which are set to be tried in the coming months. Sánchez has completely changed his tone, moving from last week's apology to a coordinated offensive against the opposition PP and Vox. The Spanish leader believes they lack the legitimacy to speak about corruption, given their severe graft cases. The difference, as Sánchez notes, is that the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) acts as soon as there are signs, while the PP and Vox cover up corruption. Sánchez attempted to steer the session away from the PSOE's corruption case, but to no avail. The last few days have been very tense since audio recordings were released by Spanish police last week. The tapes confirmed that the third-highest-ranking PSOE official, who has since resigned, Santos Cerdán, was involved in an illegal scheme that saw him take kickbacks in return for awarding public work contracts. Cerdan has denied any wrongdoing.
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Lesseyton Sports Field tender contractors failed to deliver despite going over budget: PP
JOHANNESBURG - The Public Protector (PP) has found that contractors who won the tender for the Lesseyton Sports Field in the Eastern Cape failed to deliver on the project despite going over budget by almost R5 million. On Wednesday, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka held a media briefing to release findings of her investigation into the building of the stadium in Komani. Gcaleka's investigation found there was improper conduct and maladministration by senior managers at the Enoch Mgijima Municipality in awarding the tender to a company called Thalami Civils in 2018. The PP says the tender awarded to Thalami Civils was initially R18.7 million but ballooned to R22.7 million for no apparent reason. She says the company failed to deliver on an athletic track, a soccer and rugby field, netball, tennis and volleyball courts and grandstands as agreed upon in the contract. Gcaleka says that during the bid adjudication process, Thalami Civils was the fourth highest scoring bidder. She says the Enoch Mgijimi Municipality provided inadequate reasons for why the highest scoring bidder wasn't granted the tender. The PP has referred her report to the Hawks for criminal investigations.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- India Gazette
London Murder Case: Accused moves Delhi High Court against order declaring him proclaimed offender
New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): A man accused of murdering his wife in London last year has approached the Delhi High Court against a Delhi Court order declaring him a proclaimed offender (PO). However, the High Court denied any immediate relief and listed the matter in July. Justice Pratibha M Singh refused to stay the order and said, ' This matter will require consideration. This is not a case for the vacation bench.' 'Deceased stated to have died under mysterious circumstances in the UK. This would require considerations. If the petitioner is arrested, his legal remedies can be availed,' Justice Singh said. The matter has been listed on July 15 for hearing before the roster bench. Advocate Varun Deswal argued for the accused and submitted that the Order declaring him PO was passed without following the due procedure. No notice under 41A (Appearance before the Police) was ever issued. The accused was declared a PO on May 1. The Public Prosecutor (PP) opposed the submissions and submitted a report from the UK Interpol. He said the report is very confidential and gives details on what happened. After perusing the report, Justice Singh asked the counsel for the accused, 'What is the urgency? This is a PO case.' Counsel for the accused submitted that the accused (PO) can be arrested at any time, and his properties are at risk of being attached. PP opposed the submissions and said to surrender, go to jail, and apply for bail. The victim was allegedly murdered by her husband in the UK. Thereafter, he fled the UK and is absconding. Last, he was spotted in Gurugram. It is stated that one of the parents is on bail, one in custody. Delhi Police had arrested the parents on March 14. This is a case of alleged cruelty and dowry death. An FIR was lodged at Police Station Palam Village on 03.12.2024 under Section 498A, 406, 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 85, 316, 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2025. Later on section related to Dowry death was added by the Delhi Police. Earlier, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against the husband. (ANI)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
UK dowry death case: Delhi HC refuses relief to accused, calls for full hearing; man declared proclaimed offender
Representative image NEW DELHI: A man accused of murdering his wife in London was denied interim relief by the Delhi high court, where he challenged a lower court order declaring him a proclaimed offender (PO). The high court has listed the matter for hearing on July 15. The case involved alleged cruelty and dowry death of the accused's wife in the UK. He fled the UK and was last seen in Gurugram, according to news agency ANI. Justice Pratibha M Singh, refusing to stay the PO order, said that the issue required proper consideration and was not suitable for a vacation bench. "Deceased stated to have died under mysterious circumstances in the UK. This would require considerations. If the petitioner is arrested, his legal remedies can be availed," she said. The accused had approached the high court claiming that due procedure was not followed before declaring him a PO. His counsel, advocate Varun Deswal, argued that no notice under Section 41A (appearance before the police) was ever issued. The man was declared a PO on May 1. The public prosecutor (PP) opposed the plea and submitted a confidential report from the UK Interpol detailing the circumstances of the case. Justice Singh, after reviewing the report, questioned the urgency of the matter and said, "What is the urgency? This is a PO case." The counsel for the accused argued that the man could be arrested at any time and that his properties were at risk of attachment. In response, the PP said the accused should surrender, go to jail, and then apply for bail. Delhi Police had arrested the accused's parents on March 14. One parent is currently on bail while the other remains in custody. A Look Out Circular had earlier been issued against the petitioner. An FIR in the case was registered on December 3, 2024, at Palam Village Police Station under IPC Sections 498A, 406, and 34, along with Sections 85, 316, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2025. The section related to dowry death was added later by Delhi Police.
