KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 — Sixteen people who took part in an anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) rally near Masjid Negara in 2009 were convicted of assembling illegally by a Sessions Court today.

However, only 11 of the accused were present in the court.

Sessions Court Judge Ainul Shahrin Mohd said she would deliver her judgment and sentencing at a later date.

The 16 were charged on August 3 three years ago under the Penal Code with illegal assembly after being arrested for gathering near the national mosque on August 1 to protest the security law.

They were also slapped with an alternative illegal assembly charge, but under the Police Act 1967.

Those present were sentenced to one day’s jail and fined RM2,000 in lieu of one week in prison. Sentencing and mitigation for the remaining five defendants would be conducted at a later date, said Ainul.

The court also issued arrest warrants for Mohamad Sukri Mohamad, 27, Syaza Muaz Shaharudin, 22, and Zul Sifli Kamma Kutty, 26, for their failure to attend today’s proceedings.

Another two defendants, Noorazam Sakib, 47, and Hayati Abd Samad, had presented valid reasons for their absence today.

Ainul later granted a stay of execution pending appeal.