ISRAELI national Avitan Shalom, 39, was sentenced to a maximum of seven years in prison by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today after he pleaded guilty to charges of possessing 200 rounds of ammunition and six firearms last year.
The sentencing took place after Shalom, who hails from Bnei Brak, Israel, entered his guilty plea during a closed-door session before Judge Mohd Zaki Mohd Salleh at the Kajang Prison Court Complex, as reported by the New Straits Times.
The court, after hearing the charges against Shalom, expressed its satisfaction with his plea.
"The court is satisfied with the guilty plea and finds the defendant guilty as charged," Judge Zaki stated, before handing down the sentence.
Shalom was charged with possessing the firearms and ammunition without the necessary arms license or permit, an offence that falls under Section 8(a) of Malaysia’s Arms Act.
This law carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, a fine not exceeding RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.
The court sentenced Shalom to seven years in prison for both the primary and alternative charges, with the sentences to be served concurrently.
The Israeli national's plea came ahead of a scheduled trial next month, which had been delayed due to issues surrounding the competency of a Hebrew interpreter and concerns about the language of the trial.
This resolution avoids the legal proceedings from going forward in court.
It was reported earlier that Avitan had claimed trial to two amended charges framed under the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 and the Arms Act 1960.
In the two amended charge sheets, the prosecution had made amendments to the possession of bullets from 158 to 200, as well as the type, name and serial number of three of six firearms.
The first amended charge read that he had possessed without permit 158 bullets in four boxes and 42 bullets in three firearm magazines of Glock 17 Gen4 Austria 9X19, M&P 9C Smith & Wesson Springfield MA USA and Stoeger Cougar 800F.
The second amended charge read he had trafficked six firearms without permit — Glock 19 USA 9x19 (Serial number: AEGS286); Sig Sauer P3205P (Serial number: 58C283463); Cougar 8000FT (Serial number T6429-10G002496); Glock 17 Gen4 Austria 9x19 (Serial number: BDZZ090); M&P 9C Smith & Wesson Springfield MA USA (Serial number: DSW9077) and Stoeger Cougar 8000F (Serial number: T6429-08-A029304).
The offences were committed between 6.46pm on March 26 and 6pm on March 28 last year in a room at a hotel in Jalan Ampang. – February 26, 2025
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