DPP DOWN WITH COVID-19: DR ROLAND'S DEFENCE TRIAL POSTPONED TO SEPT 23

SEPANG, July 1 (Bernama) -- The defence trial at the Sessions Court of the case involving The KL Sky Clinic founder Dr Roland Victor, who is charged with making and initiating the transmission of offensive videos regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, which was scheduled for two days starting today, has been postponed to Sept 23 and 24.

Judge Ahmad Fuad Othman vacated the two dates that had been set for the hearing after Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Nor Shazwani Abdullah told the court that the DPP handling the case was with COVID-19.

"Today has been fixed for the first day of the defence trial, but DPP Nurul Farahin Sasarudin has been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and will be in quarantine from June 29 to July 3.

“Therefore, the prosecution requests that a new trial date be set," said Nor Shazwani. Lawyer Alicia Nicholson representing Dr Roland, 42,  did not object to it.

Last March 21, Ahmad Fuad ordered Dr Roland to enter his defence on the charge after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against him.

On July 5, 2021, Dr Roland was charged with making and initiating the transmission of the offensive video with intent to annoy others using the Facebook profile page "The KL Sky Clinic" at 10.30 pm on Feb 7, 2021. 

He was charged under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and can be punished under Section 233 (3) of the same act which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to one year or both, and can be further fined RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.

-- BERNAMA