The Seremban High Court today freed a 22-year-old Thai national who was facing the death penalty over charges that he had murdered one of his colleagues at a restaurant three years ago.
Alsu Nichi, then 19, was acquitted and discharged by Judge Rohani Ismail for causing the death of Abdul Rosah Jamu, 24. The judge said the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused.
“After perusing all the evidence, the court hereby acquits and discharges the accused without calling for his defence,” she said.
He allegedly stabbed the victim in the neck with a knife after he was punched in the face, following an argument.
Restaurant patrons then caught the suspect and handed him to the cops, who arrived minutes later.
He was charged with murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty if convicted.
Haresh Mahadevan, Nurul Aina Ardilla, and Vivi’asnita Zaina’larifin represented the accused, while Alauddin Baharom prosecuted.
When approached outside the court, Haresh stated that the accused was released because the prosecution was unable to prove the elements of murder as charged.
“There were several lingering doubts in the case. It was on these grounds that the court decided to free the accused as it was not safe to call for his defence,” he said.
Haresh said the accused would be handed over to the Immigration Department to be deported to Thailand.
