Avitan, 39, had claimed that he only understood basic English and needed a Hebrew interpreter throughout the trial.

Judge Norina Zainal Abidin asked why Avitan had waited nine months to raise the issue.

“I hope you still remember the two charges (last year), everyone saw that you could speak English. You even informed the court that you are able to communicate in simple English.

“The issue of interpreters was not brought up at all. Neither you nor your lawyer informed the court that you needed an interpreter,” she said.

However, Avitan told the court he had informed his lawyer several times that he did not understand English very well.

His lawyer, Naran Singh, argued that Section 270 of the Criminal Procedure Code clearly states the accused must be provided with an interpreter if evidence is given in a language that he cannot understand.

“We have no choice but to provide him with a Hebrew interpreter. With all due respect, the defence will not compromise if he is not given an interpreter,” he said.

Deputy public prosecutor Mustaffa P Kunyalam did not object to the counsel’s request, informing the court that numerous reports to be furnished contained technical terms. These include chemistry, forensics, and firearm reports, he added.

The judge then said if a Hebrew interpreter could not be found, the trial would proceed in simple English.

In April last year, Avitan was slapped with a charge under Section 7(1) of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 for trafficking in six guns, and another under Section 8 of the Arms Act 1960 for possessing 200 bullets.

The offences allegedly took place in a hotel room on Jalan Ampang between 6.46pm on March 26 and 6pm on March 28.