Kosmo reported that deputy public prosecutor Hakimie Ab Hadi informed judge Suhaila Haron of this during case management at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court today.

Prior to this, the Attorney-General’s Chambers had rejected representations filed by Li Luorong, 28, and Chen Junhao, 21, seeking to have their charges reduced.

The sessions court also set April 27-30 and June 4 and 6 for trial proceedings.

Li and Chen face two charges under Sections 3(a) and 4(1) of the Official Secrets Act 1972, allegedly committed at Mindef, Jalan Padang Tembak, on Aug 6 last year.

In the Section 3(a) charge, the duo are accused of trying to obtain official information for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state by photographing restricted areas using a DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise drone.

If convicted, Li and Chen will face life imprisonment.

Under the Section 4(1) charge, the two men are accused of taking aerial photographs using the same drone for surveying or reconnaissance purposes without authorisation.

If found guilty, they will each face a jail term of between one and 14 years.