The prosecution has sought Interpol’s assistance to locate former research assistant Muhammed Yusoff Rawther and serve him with a notice of appeal following his acquittal on drug and imitation firearm charges.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Asnawi Abu Hanipah told the Court of Appeal that a request was sent to Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Manchester on July 22.
However, authorities have yet to receive confirmation of Yusoff’s current whereabouts or whether the notice has been served.
Yusoff left Malaysia in June last year after being acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court of charges involving the alleged trafficking of cannabis and possession of two imitation firearms.
His lawyer said Yusoff is currently in the United Kingdom and has applied for asylum on human rights grounds.
The Court of Appeal has fixed Nov 4 for the next case mention, giving the prosecution additional time to locate Yusoff and serve the appeal notice.
Yusoff’s lawyer said his client remains willing to participate in the appeal proceedings remotely via Zoom. However, the court stressed that his physical presence is required in the criminal appeal.
