KOTA KINABALU: Two teachers from SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha testified today during the first day of the trial involving five teenage girls accused of using insulting language against Form One student, Zara Qairina Mahathir.
The proceedings, held before Sessions Court Judge Marlina Ibrahim, took place behind closed doors due to the age of the accused. According to court officials, the witnesses comprised an academic teacher and a school counsellor.
Cross-examination of the second witness will continue on Dec 9.
The prosecution team is led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad, assisted by Nik Haslinie Hashim, Husni Fairos Ramly and Deepa Nair Thevaharan. The first accused is represented by Datuk Ram Sing, while four others are defended by separate lawyers.
All five teenagers previously claimed trial to a charge under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, which carries up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Zara Qairina died at Hospital Queen Elizabeth I on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school hostel.
