KUALA LUMPUR (ANN/THE STAR) – The Malaysian Sessions Court has scheduled a nine-day trial for Avitan Shalom, a 38-year-old Israeli, accused of trafficking six firearms and possessing 200 bullets.
Sessions Court Judge Norina Zainol Abidin has fixed September 30, October 1 to 3, and October 7 to 11 for trial, with further mention set for June 28.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P Kunyalam informed the court that the prosecution intends to call 20 witnesses, with witness statements being prepared.
The prosecution amended details on the charge sheets, increasing the bullet count from 158 to 200 and updating the serial numbers of the firearms, involving Glock and Stoeger Cougar.
Avitan, represented by lawyer Navinjit Singh, raised a discrepancy regarding his name on the charge sheet, noting that his passport lists his name as “Shalom Avitan,” not “Avitan Shalom” as recorded.
DPP Mohamad Mustaffa clarified that the prosecution referred to the passport, maintaining that “Avitan” is the surname and “Shalom” the given name, though Navinjit insisted on the correct naming convention.
Judge Norina acknowledged the objection and deferred discussion on the issue to be addressed during the trial.
On April 12, Avitan pleaded not guilty to two firearms-related charges, one for possessing ammunition without a permit and the other for trafficking six firearms, including Glock and Sig Sauer models.
The charges carry severe penalties, with imprisonment ranging from seven years to 40 years and whipping upon conviction.
Avitan is alleged to have committed the offences in a hotel room along Jalan Ampang between March 26 and March 28.
