Alister is being escorted out of the courtroom
KUCHING: Alister Cogia, 22 who was convicted for insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad online has been ordered to undergo mental observation for a month at Hospital Sentosa here.
High Court Judge Azahari Kamal Ramli who made this order today, also fixed April 16 as next hearing date.
The order was made following an application by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak legal team for a revision of the administration of the case held earlier at a Sessions Court which sentenced Alister, from Bau to 10 years in jail and fined RM50,000.
Alister’s family earlier claimed that they were not given the chance to meet Alister in the four days that Alister was under remand, was not told that he was to appear in court on Friday, and hence he was unrepresented in court.
Alister was represented by counsels Francis Teron Kadap, See Chee How, Desmond Kho, Jeffery Mok and Chai Pei Chen at the High Court today, while counsel Orlando Chua appeared for the Advocates Association of Sarawak (AAS) as amicus curiae (friend of the court).
Deputy public prosecutors Musli Abdul Hamid, Isa Hassim and Hayda Faridzal Abu Hasan appeared for the prosecution.
The application for revision was filed with the statutory declaration made by Alister’s mother Alen Rijod and his uncle Waddle Rumen.
In previous reports, Alen said her son had shown signs of mental illness since young.
According to her, Alister’s uncle had brought him to Hospital Sentosa before as they were worried about his mental condition, but were told to have him examined at a general hospital first and to obtain a referral for further examination in Hospital Sentosa.
[Source: “Jailed for insulting Islam: Alister ordered to undergo mental observation” published by Borneo Post]Photo Credits: Borneo Post
