Published: Friday November 13, 2009 MYT 9:59:00 AM
Updated: Friday November 13, 2009 MYT 2:38:32 PM
Raja Petra gets discharge in defamation case too (Update)
By LISA GOH
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here has granted former Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin a discharge not amounting to an acquittal in his criminal defamation trial as the police have yet to serve the warrant of arrest on him.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Hafiz Mohd Yusoff told the court Friday that the police have also not been able to serve the showcause notice on his wife and bailor Mable @ Marina Lee.
Judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat then granted his application.
Raja Petra, 60, was charged with defaming Rosmah, Lt. Col Abdul Aziz Buyong and his wife Lt. Col Norhayati Hassan, in a statutory declaration made at the Jalan Duta Court complex here at 10.25am on June 18 last year.
The arrest warrant was issued on May 26 when he failed to turn up in court.
The two lieutenant-colonels have also filed a separate defamation suit against Raja Petra.
On Wednesday, the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court also gave Raja Petra a discharge not amounting to an acquittal because the police could not trace him to serve another warrant of arrest.
Judge Rozina Ayub, in making the order, said it was most embarrassing for all the parties concerned that the prosecution had failed to serve the warrant of arrest on Raja Petra, as a result of which a discharge had to be given and the case was left hanging.
Rozana also ordered that a notice be served on Raja Petras wife, Marina Lee, to show cause why the RM5,000 she posted in bail should not be forfeited.
On May 6 last year, Raja Petra, 60, pleaded not guilty to posting seditious words relating to an article in his web site www.malaysiatoday.net on April 25 last year.
Related Stories:
Raja Petra still a wanted man, says CID chief
Raja Petra gets discharge not amounting to acquittal
Come out and face the defamation suits, Raja Petra urged
Malaysia Today editor claims allegations were made in good faith
Raja Petra remains elusive
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