KUALA LUMPUR: Over 200 policemen in tactical gear have been deployed at the Jalan Duta court complex as the firearms trial of an Israeli man begins.
The policemen, from the Federal Reserve Unit and General Operations Force, were seen guarding the complex's main entrance and compound, which have been closed to vehicles.
Only those with court dealings and who have registered are allowed entry into the court complex today.
Today's most high-profile case at the court complex is Israeli Avitan Shalom's trial for possession of bullets and firearms trafficking.
The 12-day trial starts today. Sessions Court judge Norina Zainol Abidin will preside over the trial.
Close to 30 witnesses will testify in the trial.
The prosecution will be led by deputy public prosecutors Mohamad Mustaffa P. Kunyalam, Rullizah Abdul Majid, and Suloshani Vijendran Vellupillai.
Lawyers Datuk Naran Singh and Jeffrey Ooi will act for Avitan.
Avitan, 39, from Bnei-Brak, Israel, claimed trial to two amended charges framed under the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act and the Arms Act last April.
Under the first charge, he is accused of possessing 200 bullets for a Glock 17 Gen4 Austria 9x19, M&P 9C Smith & Wesson Springfield MA USA, and Stoeger Cougar 800F.
For the second charge, Avitan is accused of trafficking six firearms without a permit, namely a Glock 19 USA 9x19, Sig Sauer P3205P, Cougar 8000FT, Glock 17 Gen4 Austria 9x19, M&P 9C Smith & Wesson Springfield MA USA, and a Stoeger Cougar 8000F.
The offences were committed between 6.46 pm on March 26 and 6 pm on March 28 last year in a hotel room in Jalan Ampang.
The charge under Section 8(a) of the Arms Act carries a maximum seven-year jail term or a maximum RM10,000 fine, or both.
The charge under Section 7(1) of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act carries a 30 to 40-year jail term with at least six strokes of the rotan.