A Malaysian man who is alleged to be a member of an Islamic conglomerate who runs charity homes where children are allegedly abused was charged with criminal intimidation on Wednesday ( Sep 18 ), according to a court document seen by Reuters.
According to a charge sheet seen by Reuters and confirmed by a police investigator, Mohamad Riza Makar, 39, entered a not-guilty plea to allegedly threatening a person who previously worked for the company to remove a police statement.
State news agency Bernama reported that Mohamad Riza, a businessman with three wives and 10 children, was released on bail of RM10, 000 ( US$ 2, 360 ). He faces jail period of up to two years, a great, or both if found guilty of a charge of criminal harassment.
After the reading, Mohamad Riza and his attorney could not be reached for comment. A representative for the company, Global Ikhwan Services and Business ( GISB ) Holdings, did not respond to a request for comment.
In attacks on 20 donation properties, which the authorities claim are owned by GISB, police last week rescued over 400 children. Some kids showed signs of sexual abuse and neglect, according to authorities.
GISB has stated that it did not run the tents and has refuted allegations of common abuse, but its CEO acknowledged on Saturday that “one or two” instances of prostitution had occurred at the houses.
Mohamad Riza is the next person to get charged in court in connection with the GISB analysis. A 19-year-old female was charged next month with child abuse in connection with the situation, Bernama reported.
GISB has been linked to Al-Arqam, a spiritual sect that the state forbade in 1994. The business acknowledged the connection, but it now presents itself as a Sunni company with a strong Islamic foundation.