Judge Zaki Salleh fixed the hearing dates today after Avitan’s lawyer, Jeffrey Ooi, informed the court that his client had agreed for the trial to proceed in English if no experienced Hebrew interpreter was available.

Zaki then told both the prosecution and defence teams that the court would convene within the compound of Kajang prison where Avitan is currently remanded.

The trial will run from March 19 to 21, May 13 to 16, June 3 to 5, and June 23 to 26.

Deputy public prosecutors Mustaffa P Kunyalam and V Suloshani Vijendran appeared for the prosecution.

Avitan’s gun trafficking and bullet possession case was previously scheduled to begin on Jan 6. However the hearing did not proceed as Avitan insisted on having a Hebrew interpreter.

Last year, Avitan claimed trial to charges under Section 7(1) of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 for trafficking in six guns, as well as one charge under Section 8 of the Arms Act 1960 for possessing 200 bullets.

The alleged offences took place in a hotel room on Jalan Ampang.

He faces a jail term of between 30 and 40 years and a maximum six strokes of the rotan, if found guilty of gun trafficking.