The Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday acquitted and discharged independent preacher Muhammad Fathi Na'im Mazlam of raping a 14-year-old girl after finding the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case. [1, 2, 3]
Judge Tasnim Abu Bakar ruled at the end of the prosecution case that the girl's testimony was not credible and was unreliable after credibility-challenge proceedings. She said, "This court finds that the explanations given during the credibility challenge proceedings and throughout the trial could not be categorised as reliable." [2]
The judge then said, "As such, the accused is discharged and acquitted," ending the case at the Sessions Court stage. [2]
The alleged rape took place at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, with one report placing it in a room along Jalan Imbi in Bukit Bintang. The charge involved a girl who was 14 at the time. [1, 3]
Muhammad Fathi Na'im was represented by lawyer Muhammad Ashraff Mohd Diah. One report said deputy public prosecutor Siti Pervinah Mohamad Yusof told the court the prosecution would appeal. [2, 3]
The case had heard from 11 prosecution witnesses, according to one report. The charge carried a possible penalty of up to 20 years in prison and caning. [3]
Muhammad Fathi Na'im also faces six separate charges at the Klang Sessions Court involving the same victim, and those proceedings have not yet started. [3]
One report said the alleged rape in the present case happened on Dec. 3, 2021, between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m., while another gave only December 2021 and the same time window. [2, 3]
