KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 — Five Pakistani men were charged in the Magistrate’s Court here today with kidnapping a 47-year-old man for ransom, involving RM5,000 last November.

Shammas Khan, 43, Malik Muhamad Najam, 42, Mian Altamash Ahmed Khan, 32, Muhammad Sufyan, 30, and Hameed Khan, 33, nodded before Magistrate Erry Shahriman Nor Aripin to indicate they understood the charge read to them.

However, no plea was recorded from the accused, pending re mention of the case on March 13 to allow them to engage a lawyer.

They allegedly kidnapped the victim at Cheria Heights Apartment, Taman Bukit Cheras here between Nov 16, 2013 around 8 pm and Nov 18, 2013 around 5 am.

The charge under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961 read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, carries the death sentence or life imprisonment upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Nor Diana Nor Azwa prosecuted while the accused were not represented.

Meanwhile at the Sessions Court, Shammas Khan was charged with committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature without consent, on the same victim at 8 pm on Nov 16 at the same place.

Shammas, a labourer, claimed trial to the charge under Section 377C of the Penal Code read with Section 511 of the same code, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and liable to whipping upon conviction.

Judge Emelia Kaswaty Mohammad Khalid set Feb 13 for re mention; deputy public prosecutor Nadiah Malek Fauzie appeared for the prosecution while the accused was not represented. — Bernama