The Sessions Court today ordered celebrity preacher Azman Syah Alias, better known as PU Azman, to enter defence on two charges of committing physical sexual assault on a 17-year-old boy.
Sessions Court judge Syafeera Mohd Said made the decision after finding that the prosecution succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against the accused.
“After hearing and examining the prosecution witnesses and all the evidence and examining the prosecution’s arguments, the court decided that the prosecution succeeded in proving a prima facie case against the accused on the first and second charges.
“Therefore, he is ordered to enter his defence,” she said in her judgment.
In the dock, Azman (above) appeared calm as the ruling was read, and he was given three options - to testify under oath on the witness stand where he can be cross-examined, to testify from the dock or to remain silent.
The accused chose to testify under oath on the witness stand for trial.
Azman was charged with two counts of committing physical sexual assault on a teenager at a homestay in Kampung Sungai Udang, at 12.15am and 1am on Feb 20 and June 29 last year.
The charges were framed under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 which provides imprisonment not exceeding 20 years and whipping.
Syafeera then set Jan 12, 2024, for mention of the case.
Seven prosecution witnesses were called to testify at the trial that began on Sept 5.
Deputy public prosecutors Nur Ayuni Jamri and Nurul Izzati Mohamad appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Mohamad Zahid Ahmad.
Azman is also facing nine more charges related to sexual crimes he allegedly committed against teenage boys, namely five charges in the Seremban Sessions Court, two cases in the Shah Alam Sessions Court and one case each in the Klang Magistrate's Court and the Ampang Sessions Court.
- Bernama
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