M Murali, 32, KK Anbu Kaniyan, 26, M Jeyamurugan, 37, and his younger brother Rejenderan, 35, however, pleaded not guilty after the charge against them was read before Judge Nariman Badruddin.

According to the charge sheet, the accused were jointly charged with committing a gang robbery armed with a machete against the 54-year-old victim, Lee See Kiat, involving losses of about RM500,000.

Among the items taken included a jar of animals’ fangs and claws, 13 swords of various types, a Patek Phillipe watch, a container with the word Doshermano written on it containing cigars and four daggers.

They allegedly committed the offence at Level 12-1, Lagenda Condominium, Jalan Klebang Besar/Kecil in the Melaka Tengah district at about 10.30pm on June 5.

The charge, under Section 395 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 397 of the same law, provides imprisonment for up to 20 years and whipping, upon conviction.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor N Sivashangari did not offer bail to all the accused on the grounds that the victim was an acquaintance to one of the accused and was also worried about the victim’s safety.

She added that all the accused also had criminal records.

However, Alif Ahmad Tarmizi, representing all the accused, urged the court to allow bail as all his clients are married and are taking care of their parents.

The court allowed the four men a bail of RM10,000 with one surety each and set July 21 for mention.

Reports last week had said that a man was robbed at a condominium by a gang who had travelled to Melaka from the Klang Valley, using forged letters from the international trade and industry ministry, which claimed that they were from a security firm.