Gurun:Fourteen individuals, including two teenagers, have been charged at the Magistrate's Court with the murder of a 19-year-old youth. The incident occurred last week, leading to the arrest of the accused, who are aged between 16 and 24.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the individuals charged include Muhammad Asyraaf Muhammad Zaidi, 20; Muhammad Azrul Rahimi Muhamad Yusri, 18; Ahmad Izzul Irfan Ridduan, 21; Muhammad Rhahimy Abdul Rashid, 19; Yusman Hakimi Yusmezal, 24; Muhammad Zulfaqar Zulkarnain Khairol Fais, 21; and Muhammad Aiman Riduwan Abdullah, 21. The others are Ahmad Aiman Danial Ahmad Wizam, 21; Muhammad Adam Haris Rosdan, 21; Muhammad Muqkriz Azizan, 21; Muhammad Adam Iqbal Mohd Wazir, 19; Syafiq Afif Syarafuddin Abd Ghapar, 23; and two teenagers aged 16 and 17.

The group was charged with the murder of Muhammad Haikal Mohd Shahrilnizam, which took place at an unnumbered house on Jalan Sungai Petani between 9 pm on October 5 and 730 am on October 8. No pleas were recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The charges were made under Section 302 of the Penal Code, in conjunction with Section 34, which carries a penalty of death or imprisonment ranging from 30 to 40 years, along with at least 12 strokes of the cane if convicted. Deputy public prosecutor Nik Nurhazirah Tuan Yahya led the prosecution, while only three of the accused were represented by lawyer Mohamad Ashraf Ahmad Sohaimi.

The court has scheduled the next mention of the case for December 23, pending the completion of chemical and forensic reports. Media reports have suggested that Muhammad Haikal was allegedly held captive and tortured for two days before his body was discovered in bushes near Jalan Harvard Golf Club on October 8.