KUCHING, Feb 21: An Algerian man was fined RM1,200 by the Magistrate’s Court here today for injuring a local man whom he suspected of recording his image.
Yassine Mostefaoui, 35, pleaded guilty to the charge read before Magistrate Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Ali.
The charge stemmed from an incident on June 25, 2023, at the Kuching International Airport around 1.14pm, where Mostefaoui intentionally caused injury to a 38-year-old victim.
According to the charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code, Mostefaoui approached the victim, who was queuing to board a flight from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur, and slapped the victim’s left cheek before snatching the victim’s smartphone.
The altercation arose from Mostefaoui’s suspicion that the victim was recording his image.
In a fit of anger, Mostefaoui also kicked the victim’s stomach when the latter attempted to retrieve his phone.
Following the incident, the victim lodged a police report for further investigation and action.
Section 323 of the Penal Code carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to RM2,000 upon conviction. — DayakDaily
