PETALING JAYA: Court has granted a six-day remand extension to the parents of autistic boy Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin.
The parents of the six-year-old child murdered in December were brought to court on Friday after their initial seven-day remand order expired.
New Straits Times reported that Zayn Rayyan’s father, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 28, was visibly distressed and crying as he entered the courtroom in handcuffs.
During today’s trial, relatives and supporters of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin gathered at the entrance of the court complex holding banners reading “Justice for Zayn” and “Justice for Zaim and Isma”, referring to Zayn’s mother, Ismanira Abdul Manaf.
Zaim’s mother said: “We want the real murderer. I know Zaim is not wrong.”.
Fahmi Abdul Moin, the couple’s lawyer, told the English daily that magistrate Ainaa Muhamad Kamal granted the extension after the seven-day remand expired.
“During proceedings, a senior police investigating officer had applied for a further seven-day remand order based on the probes conducted against my clients. However, we objected on grounds that they both do not need to be arrested further and they should be released.”
“But the magistrate found reasons to remand them and allowed another six days remand from today until next Wednesday. On Wednesday, it will be final. Whether there is a case or not, they must be released.”
“I have explained this to the couple and they understand. They are being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder,“ he was quoted as saying after proceedings.
The police had tried to extend the custody of Zayn’s parents to facilitate the investigation.
It was earlier reported that the parents’ remand would end on Friday, according to Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan.
Zayn’s parents were previously remanded in custody under Section 302 of the Penal Code for seven days, from Saturday, June 1, until June 7.
Zayn Rayyan’s Murder Case
Six-year-old Zayn Rayyan who had autism was found dead along a river about 200m from his home in Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya, around 10pm on December 6.
A member of a search party formed to find the boy discovered his body. The child reportedly went missing on the afternoon of December 5.
Police had initially suspected that the child had drowned. However, the investigation was reclassified as murder after the post-mortem report revealed that he was strangled.