Papagomo acquitted over ‘pro-Israel, pro-Western’ claim

Political influencer Wan Azri Wan Deris has been cleared by the sessions court here of making a seditious statement against the government.

Judge Siti Aminah Ghazali, in a brief ruling, held that the prosecution failed to prove the charge against Azri under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act beyond reasonable doubt.

The court also ordered the return of his RM7,000 bail.

Wan Azri, known as Papagomo, was charged with saying that the government is “pro-Israel and pro-Western (countries)” through Facebook account “Halid Hamidi (Halid Mat Kool)” at about 1pm on Nov 8, 2023.

Wan Azri was represented by lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali, while deputy public prosecutor Mustaffa P Kunyalam and Nadia Izhar appeared for the prosecution.

He was initially acquitted by the sessions court last year, but the High Court ordered him to enter defence this year following an appeal by the prosecution.