M'sian jailed in Sweden child abuse case reunites with kids
He has made it home in time to celebrate Hari Raya with his children.
The Malaysian man, who was convicted of hitting his children in a Swedish court, completed his jail sentence and flew home to be with his kids.
The Star reported Mr Azizul Raheem Awalluddin as saying: "Alhamdulillah (thanks be to God), in this holy month of Ramadan, I have made it home to complete the fasting month with my children and celebrate Hari Raya with them."
"My return is also a special gift for my mother, who celebrates her birthday today," said Mr Azizul, who arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday at 5.45pm.
When Mr Azizul touched down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, he immediately asked to see his children. The group embraced at the airport and tears flowed freely at the reunion.
Violation of a child's integrity
Mr Azizul, a Tourism Malaysia director in Stockholm, and his wife Shalwati Nurshal were charged on Feb 10 with multiple counts of gross violation of a child's integrity, by hitting and abusing their children.
The offences took place in the family’s home in Spanga, a Stockholm suburb, between Sept 15, 2010 and Dec 17, 2013.
On March 28, Mr Azizul was sentenced to 10 months' jail for hitting three of his four children.
Shalwati is still in Sweden serving her sentence. She was found guilty of hitting all four children and jailed for 14 months.
Corporal punishment outlawed
Taking into account the three months they spent in detention during the trial, as well as an early release for good behaviour, Mr Azizul and his wife were told to serve about three months' and six months' jail respectively.
The court also ordered Mr Azizul and Shalwati to pay their children 36,400 SEK (S$6,643) and 67,200 SEK respectively.
Sweden has outlawed corporal punishment since 1979, and is known to punish offenders heavily, with a minimum prison sentence of nine months.
When asked if he was still willing to work overseas, Mr Azizul said yes but not Sweden.
He also had some advice for those working abroad, saying, "those who go for duty overseas, be sure to follow local laws".
Source: The Star
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