MIRI: A 40-year-old habitual offender who assaulted an imam during a morning prayer session in Surau Kampung Tiris, Bekenu was detained by police on Thursday night.
The arrest was made at 10pm following a report lodged by the victim.
According to sources, the alleged incident occurred at 5.38am last Monday when the victim approached the suspect and informed him that he performed the prayer wrongly.
Furious, the suspect slapped and punched the victim. He allegedly strangled the victim as well, but several villagers who were inside the surau that morning intervened and broke up the fight.
The commotion did not end there as the suspect also allegedly threatened to kill the victim. Fearing for his safety, the victim lodged a police report at the Bekenu police station.
A further check revealed that the suspect’s house is located adjacent to the victim’s house.
The case is being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.
