The Chief Resident Magistrate court in Lilongwe has reserved Monday next week as the date for deciding on whether or not to grant bail to Chinese national Bin Liu.
Liu is accused of being found in possession of pieces of ivory worth over nine million kwacha, skulls of an impala and a bush buck which are specimen of endangered species.
Upon his arrest in Lilongwe in August, he was also found in possession of a firearm that police authorities believe was purchased from an individual without proper documentation.
When recently in court, the state was making a response to a fresh bail application by the defense following another that was rebuffed in the same court.
Regional Prosecutions Officer Prescort Mwaiulipo, has however objected to the application for bail stating that there are no special circumstances that have arisen to allow the accused to be released on bail now and that the accused may jump bail due to the seriousness of the offense.
The defense has however asked the court for bail to be granted this time around considering that Bin Liu has already pleaded not guilty and cannot abscond bail if released.
Hearing of the matter is set to commence on 19 October, 2021.
Source:Capital FM