The High Court has sentenced 33 men involved in a riot at an entertainment outlet in Cheras on April 5 to 10 months’ imprisonment each, overturning earlier fines imposed by the Magistrate’s Court.
Justice Datuk Aslam Zainuddin, exercising revisionary powers, delivered the decision after hearing submissions from state prosecution director Datuk Mohd Nordin Ismail and defence counsel Damien Chan.
The judge ordered all accused to begin serving their prison terms immediately from today.
A warrant of arrest was also issued against one accused, identified as A Ganesan, who failed to appear in court during proceedings.
Court proceedings were momentarily tense as the decision was read out, with several of the accused appearing visibly shocked.
Previously on April 10, the Magistrate’s Court had fined 34 men after they pleaded guilty to participating in the riot at the Cheras entertainment venue on April 5, an incident which reportedly involved firearms and explosives.
Magistrate Faezahnoor Hassan had then imposed a RM3,000 fine on 32 individuals aged between 21 and 57, with a four-month jail term in default of payment.
Two younger accused, aged 19, were fined RM2,000 each or three months’ imprisonment in default.
