Israeli Man Sentenced To 7 Years In Jail In Malaysia For Carrying Firearms Without Permit
Avitan Shalom owns several companies in the US.
By Sadho Ram β 26 Feb 2025, 05:26 PM
Today, 26 February, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court sentenced Israeli national Avitan Shalom to seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition and firearms without a permit
The 39-year-old from Bnei Brak in Israel was charged under Section 8(a) of the Arms Act for possessing 200 rounds of ammunition as well as six firearms without an arms licence or permit.
He was arrested in March last year with a Glock 19 USA 9x19; a Sig Sauer P3205P; a Cougar 8000FT; a Glock 17 Gen4 Austria 9x19; a M&P 9C Smith & Wesson Springfield MA USA, and a Stoeger Cougar 8000F.
Police also found a box of Shell Shock NAS3 9mm ammunition containing eight rounds, three boxes of Bullet Master Co Ltd ammunition totalling 150 rounds, and 42 rounds stored in three different firearms.
He faced a maximum jail term of seven years and a fine of up to RM10,000 under the act.
Judge Mohd Zaki Mohd Salleh imposed the maximum sentence against Avitan, who admitted to a main charge and an alternative charge during a closed-door hearing at the Kajang Prison Court Complex.
His sentence will start from the day of his arrest on 28 March 2024
The judge granted the Israeli national's request for his passport, 14 credit cards, and four mobile phones to be handed to the prison authorities within two weeks for safekeeping until his release.
The judge's sentence in Bahasa Melayu was translated in English for Avitan by an interpreter.
Last year, Avitan's trial was adjourned after he claimed to understand only basic English. However, judge Norina Zainal Abidin questioned why he had waited nine months to raise the issue, highlighting that he had previously informed the court of his ability to communicate in simple English.
The court ultimately ruled that the trial would proceed in English.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P Kunyalam told the court that Avitan's offences are serious as they threaten the security of the country and the safety of citizens.
"His actions warrant the court to impose the maximum sentence," he argued.
The accused has a wife and three children aged between 16 and 9 in Israel. Prior to his arrest, he owned several companies in the US, supplying medical items, real estate, and a cryptocurrency in New York.
