News / National
Israel pilot acquitted of smuggling Marange diamonds
25 Apr 2012 at 17:25hrs | Views
The Israeli pilot, Shmuel Kainan Klein, who was facing charges of smuggling 1300 diamond pieces worth US$2 million, has been acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence.
Klein was facing charges of unlawful possession of diamonds and contravening Section 12 (1) of the Immigration Act Chapter 4:02, which criminalises entry by invasion.
Handing down the ruling, the presiding magistrate, Mr Clever Tsikwa noted that all evidence presented failed to prove that the accused was illegally possessing diamonds.
He further indicated that the state had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt hence it would be unfair to put the accused to his defence as it is the onus of the state to prove its allegations.
Klein was facing charges of unlawful possession of diamonds and contravening Section 12 (1) of the Immigration Act Chapter 4:02, which criminalises entry by invasion.
Handing down the ruling, the presiding magistrate, Mr Clever Tsikwa noted that all evidence presented failed to prove that the accused was illegally possessing diamonds.
He further indicated that the state had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt hence it would be unfair to put the accused to his defence as it is the onus of the state to prove its allegations.
Source - zbc
