Judge who issued open verdict over Beng Hock's case to be charged with corruption

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 5): The Sessions Court judge, Azmil Muntapha Abas, who had presided as a coroner in the highly-charged inquest into the death political aide Teoh Beng Hock 10 years ago, will face a corruption charge tomorrow.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said in a statement today that it has obtained permission from the attorney-general to charge Azmil at the Sessions Court in Shah Alam. He will face the graft charge along with deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Khairul Azhwa Yusrie Mohamad and lawyer Noor Amirul Nazreen Anas

In 2011, Azmil was serving as a magistrate in Shah Alam when presiding as a coroner in the inquest of Teoh, who died in MACC custody in 2009. 

In his verdict, he declared that Teoh’s death was neither a suicide nor a homicide.

In Sept 2014, three judges in the panel of an appeals court overturned the verdict, ruling that "Teoh’s death was caused by a fall as a result of, or accelerated by, an unlawful act or acts of persons unknown", reported Free Malaysia Today. A further probe was ordered.  

Accroding to The Edge Markets today, Azmil was previously reported to be detained by MACC in July "for alleged bribery in connection with the release of illegal immigrants in Kuala Kubu Baru".

Subsequently, MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya said the agency also arrested a lawyer, a DPP and six policemen.

"The latest detainee is a Kuala Kubu Baru Sessions Court judge. Some cash have been also seized during the arrest," she was cited saying.

The report said investigations were being conducted under Section 16(A)(B) of the MACC Act for bribery.