Police inspector charged with two counts of human trafficking
A police inspector who was alleged to have raped two Mongolian women in a hotel was charged today with human trafficking.
Inspector Hazrul Hizham Ghazali, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him before Klang Sessions Court judge Tasnim Abu Bakar.
The 30-year-old accused, dressed in a blue shirt, red jacket and jeans, appeared calm throughout the proceedings.
He wore a mask, as did everyone else in court.
Hazrul, who is attached to the Petaling Jaya police headquarters was slapped with two charges under Section 13 of the Anti-Trafficking In Persons and Anti-Smuggling Of Migrants Act 2007, which provides imprisonment of not less than three years, but not exceeding 20 years, and shall also be liable to fine, if found guilty.
On the first count, Hazrul was charged with abusing his power by trafficking a 20-year-old Mongolian woman for sexual exploitation at a hotel room in Petaling Jaya between 10.30 pm last April 10 and 8.30 pm the following day.
On the second count, he was charged with committing a similar offence on another Mongolian woman, aged 36, in another room at the same hotel and at the same time and date.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohammad Al-Saifi Hashim prosecuted while counsel Shah Rizal Abdul Rahman and Nik Muammer Hurrie Mohamad Sukri presented the accused.
Mohammad requested bail at RM15,000 for each count, but Shah Rizal requested for a minimum bail, saying that his client had been suspended from work.
Following which, Tasnim set bail at RM20,000 in one surety for both charges and also ordered Hazrul to surrender his passport to the court and report himself at the nearest police station every month pending disposal of the case.
Hazrul’s relative posted bail after the proceedings.
The court set June 17 for mention for submission of documents.
Petaling Jaya district police chief Assistant Commissioner Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal on April 12 said Hazrul Hizam was nabbed after police rescued the two victims at a hotel.
He said preliminary investigation revealed that the two women were arrested at a roadblock but were taken to a hotel here instead.
He said initial investigations revealed that the duo did not have complete travel documents and were suspected to be involved in immoral activities.
Police have proceeded with an interim protection order for them.