KOTA KINABALU: Four men were freed of a charge of gang-raping a 15-year-old girl, without their defence being called. Sessions Court Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim discharged and acquitted Rezwan Abdullah, 23, Mohd Shah Abdullah @ Mat Tasin, 21, Mohd Izlan Omar, 22, and Ag Rizaullah Bahin, 24, from the charge after ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against the four.

The court made the order when their case was brought up for ruling at the end of the prosecution stage. The four were accused of raping the girl at 9pm on Aug 8, 2018 in a hut at Melinsung beach, Papar. The offence, under Section 375B/34 of the Penal Code, provides for a jail term of between 10 and 30 years and whipping, upon conviction.

About five witnesses were called to testify during the hearing. The court ordered the bail amount of RM8,000 to be refunded to all the accused. Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Megat Mahathir Megat Tharih Affendy conducted the prosecution while counsel Azhier Farhan defended the four.