KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 21): Activist Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir today welcomed the Court of Appeal's ruling declaring the arrest and detention of Muslim scholar Dr Kassim Ahmad as unlawful, saying the decision was sound in law.

“The ruling is a clear on the rights of the appellant,” she told reporters after the proceedings.

Marina was also bailor for Kassim in the Shariah Court when the 83-year-old was charged in 2013.

She said the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) had committed many violations “in their enthusiasm” to arrest and prosecute Kassim.

“It is a great ending to the year. We were not completely optimistic when we came here today.

“We welcome the verdict because justice has prevailed,” added Marina who was in court today to provide moral support to Kassim.

She said it was heartbreaking to see Kassim after his arrest and prosecution.

“He is an old man but they (Jawi enforcement officers) raided his home. What they did to him was unjust,” she said.

The Court of Appeal today held that Kassim's arrest warrant was defective, as the arresting officers did not comply with the Federal Territories Shariah criminal law.

Kassim has been charged in the Shariah Court for allegedly insulting Islam and defying religious authorities and his case is scheduled for mention on January 18.

But with the Court of Appeal's ruling today, he said he hoped Jawi would drop the charges against him.