Trader gets 23 years’ jail for supporting Islamic State

Accused found guilty of supporting terror group via Telegram app and having winter clothing and flag with its logo
KUALA LUMPUR - A trader was sentenced to a total of 23 years’ jail by the High Court here today after he pleaded guilty to three terrorism-related charges.

Judicial Commissioner Ab Karim Ab Rahman handed down the sentence on Mohd Shaifful Shahril Ramli, 29, to be served from the date of his arrest on July 19, 2016.

The charge, under Section 130 J (1)(b) of the Penal Code, provides a similar punishment, upon conviction.

The third charge, under Section 130 JB (1)(a) of the Penal Code, was for possession of a winter clothing and a flag, both with the Islamic State (IS) logo on them, at 9.45 am on July 22 last year.

Shaifful , who is married, was charged with committing the offences at No 3, Lorong Indah 1, Kampung Sri Indah B, Sungai Buloh.

In the judgment, Karim said Shaifful should realise that Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi was a terrorist.

“The excuse that he (accused) had never met (Wanndy) physically cannot be accepted by the court, and in today’s world, there is no need for a physical meeting,” he added.

Earlier during mitigation, Shaifful said he was influenced by the group but was now remorseful.

“I cannot bear to be separated from my family and hope to be given a chance to change,” he added.

Deputy public prosecutor Noor Syazwani Mohamad Sobry prosecuted.

Shaifful was sentenced to eight years’ jail for giving support to the militant group, 13 years’ jail for the commission of a terrorist act and another two years’ jail for possession of items related to terrorism, to be served concurrently.

On the first count, Shaifful was charged with giving support to the Islamic State (IS) group via the mobile phone application Telegram in the group “amanah(phb) vs pas” under the name Putra Zulkarnain and Anonymous/Anonimous between June 18, 2016 and June 29, 2016.

The charge, under Section 130 J (1)(a) of the Penal Code, provides imprisonment for life, or for up to 30 years, or with fine, and is also liable to forfeiture of any property used in the commission of the offence.

He was also charged with supporting a terrorist act involving the use of explosives with the intention to pursue an ideology, and with intention to incite Malaysians via Telegram on his mobile phone between June 26 and 29, 2016. - FMT