KOTA BARU: In a recent verdict at the High Court, a Thai woman named Miss Rusneeda Beraheng, 41, breathed a sigh of relief as she escaped the death penalty. The court acquitted and discharged her of trafficking 86.8g of methamphetamine in 2018. The decision was made by Judge Datuk Roslan Abu Bakar, who found that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against her.
Judge Roslan’s judgment hinged on the prosecution’s inability to prove two crucial elements. Firstly, they failed to demonstrate Miss Rusneeda’s possession, custody, and control of the drugs that were discovered under the seat of a Proton Persona car. Secondly, as a consequence, the charge of drug trafficking, the third element, also fell through.
“The prosecution’s failure to prove a prima facie case is evident. Therefore, I hereby acquit and discharge the accused without requiring her to enter her defense,” Judge Roslan declared.
The offense in question allegedly took place in front of an unnumbered house in Kampung Kubang Juluk, Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, at 9 am on September 4, 2018. Miss Rusneeda was charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, a charge that carries the death penalty upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Aida Fatimah Abd Jabar led the prosecution, while Miss Rusneeda was represented by lawyer Ahmad Nizam Mohamed.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
