The High Court yesterday sentenced Mahadi Mamat, a former leader of the Daesh cell known as the wolf pack group, to a total of 61 years in prison after he was found guilty of eight terrorism-related offenses. These included threats to attack the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Seafield, Subang Jaya, five years ago.
Justice Noorin Badaruddin delivered the sentence, stating that the defense had not succeeded in establishing reasonable doubts regarding the charges. The court sentenced Mahadi to 10 years in prison for each of the first, second, third, and seventh charges; six years for the fourth charge; and five years for the fifth, sixth, and eighth charges.
Mahadi was directed to serve these sentences concurrently, starting from his arrest on May 5, 2019, which means he will only serve a total of 10 years in prison. In her judgment, Justice Noorin stated that the court was convinced the accused had not demonstrated legal insanity. She expressed satisfaction with the testimony provided by the second defense witness, Ian Lloyd Anthony, a psychiatric consultant from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, concerning Mahadi’s mental state.
Justice Noorin noted that the accused had concealed weapons and pipe bombs, indicating that he was aware of his actions. The court concluded that although the accused suffers from schizophrenia or a mental disorder, he was sane at the time the offenses were committed.
The testimony of the second defense witness indicated that the accused was sane. According to the witness’s observations, the accused’s mental cognitive functions were intact at the time of the offense, she stated. Upon reviewing the WhatsApp messages exchanged with members of the ‘Sejati Sejiwa’ group, I determined that the accused understood the consequences of his actions and effectively persuaded group members to join him.
Under the first and second charges, Mahadi was accused of seeking support for a terrorist act by threatening to attack the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya and to kill four Malaysian citizens through the ‘Sejati Sejiwa’ WhatsApp group.
These charges were filed under Section 130J (1) (b) of the Penal Code (Act 574), which carries a penalty of life imprisonment or a term of up to 30 years, a fine, and potential forfeiture of any property used or intended for use in connection with the crime upon conviction.
For the third charge, Mahadi was accused of providing firearms training to members of the Sejati Sejiwa WhatsApp group to facilitate a terrorist act. This charge falls under Section 130F (a) of the Penal Code (Act 574), which imposes a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine upon conviction. Regarding the fourth charge, he was alleged to have directed group members to carry out a terrorist act. This charge is filed under Section 130F (b) of the Penal Code (Act 574), which also carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine if convicted.
For the fifth and sixth charges, Mahadi was accused of acquiring six pipe bombs, a semi-automatic CZ 75 B pistol, and 15 Luger 9mm bullets for the purpose of carrying out terrorist acts. These charges fall under Section 130JD (1) of the Penal Code (Act 574), which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a fine. In relation to the seventh charge, which is filed under Section 130E of the Penal Code, he was alleged to have recruited several individuals to join the Sejati Sejiwa WhatsApp group for the purpose of committing terrorist acts. This law stipulates a maximum prison sentence of 30 years and a fine upon conviction.
In the final charge, Mahadi was accused of possessing items associated with the terrorist group Daesh on his mobile phone. He was charged under Section 130JB (1) (a) of the Penal Code (Act 574). This offense carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a fine, and the offender may also face the forfeiture of any related items upon conviction.
Source: Free Malaysia Today
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