Police corruption claim may cause drug defendant to be acquitted

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An Australian man facing the death penalty in Malaysia for alleged drug trafficking could walk free on Monday when a judge is expected to rule on whether the case should proceed.

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Dominic Bird was arrested in a police sting in Kuala Lumpur in March last year for allegedly attempting to supply 167 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover police officer.

The 33-year-old, from Perth, faces a mandatory death penalty if convicted.

In a submission presented to the court last week, prosecutor Ahmad Akram said the evidence against Bird was ”overwhelming”.

But Bird’s lawyers are hopeful of an acquittal after allegations of corruption and questions over the credibility of an undercover police officer involved in his arrest were raised in court.

The prosecution’s star witness, Inspector Luther Nurjib, has admitted in court to taking money from another drug dealer, who is also an informant in the Bird case.

He has also admitted to supplying a sample of drugs to his informant allegedly obtained from Bird.

Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Haji Kamardin will rule on Monday whether the case should proceed to a full trial.