What crucial witnesses were missing in the rifle trafficking case?

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Crucial Witnesses Were Not Called in Rifle Trafficking Case

A South African technician, Julius Christo Katzke, has been acquitted and discharged by the Federal Court on charges of trafficking seven rifles and possessing 1,305 rounds of ammunition. The Federal Court panel, led by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, overturned the Court of Appeal's decision from October 2018, which had convicted Katzke and sentenced him to life imprisonment for trafficking and four years' imprisonment for possession. The High Court had initially acquitted Katzke on May 30, 2018.
Absence of Key Individuals Raised Doubts on Access to Firearms

The Federal Court's decision highlighted the prosecution's failure to call several material witnesses. This omission was deemed significant by Justice Abang Iskandar, who stated that the absence of these witnesses might have prevented the prosecution from definitively excluding their access to the firearms and ammunition. This lack of exclusion of other potential access points was a critical factor in the final judgment.
Girlfriend of Accused and Yacht Captain Were Not Presented

Among the crucial witnesses the prosecution did not call was the South African technician's Thai national girlfriend. Additionally, the captain of the yacht, named Mischief, where the rifles and ammunition were found, was also not presented as a witness. The presence of these individuals could have provided further clarity on the movements and access to the vessel and its contents at the time of the alleged offences.
Charges Related to Yacht Berthed in Langkawi in 2014

Katzke, who specialises in automatic identification systems for ships, faced charges stemming from an incident on September 18, 2014. The alleged offences occurred aboard the yacht Mischief while it was berthed at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club in Kuah, Langkawi, Kedah. He was arrested on the same day and has remained in custody since then until his acquittal by the Federal Court.

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What crucial witnesses were missing in the rifle trafficking case?

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