Hariz Yusoff said his client was only in Thailand from March 9 to 12, and returned to the country a day before the nation’s top cop issued his statement late Friday night.

“Our client did not abscond. This was also conveyed to the court. The statement issued by the IGP was inaccurate.

“Based on his passport records, our client re-entered Malaysia on March 12, while the police statement was issued on the night of March 13. Therefore, the claim that he fled the country is incorrect,” Hariz said in a press conference at the court complex here.

He added that Zamri had fully cooperated with the police and is prepared to face trial.

Earlier, Zamri pleaded not guilty in the Kuala Lumpur magistrates’ court to publishing a Facebook post on Feb 3 that could incite fear or alarm among the public in relation to a gathering involving “illegal temples”.

The charge under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

On Friday, the IGP said Zamri and activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak had fled to Thailand and that Bukit Aman was working with Thai authorities to track them down.