A Malaysian teenage couple were charged with murder in a court on Thursday over the killing of a 20-year-old student last month, in a case that has caused nationwide concerns over security for students living in the country’s flagship tech hub of Cyberjaya.
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Prosecutors accused Sri Darvein Manthavan, 19, of killing Malaysian Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara at her dorm on June 23, aided by his girlfriend Thineswary V Devendran, also 19.
Both suspects face the death penalty if found guilty, or an alternative penalty of between 30 years and 40 years in jail and no less than 12 strokes of the cane.
No plea was taken from the suspects pending the case’s transfer to the High Court.
The pair will be transferred to prison while awaiting trial as murder is a non-bailable offence.
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Their next hearing will be held on September 11.
Darvein and Thineswary were arrested along with a third suspect two days after the victim was found dead in her dormitory on June 24.