Kuala Lumpur, July 11: Prosecutors have charged three teenage Malaysian handball players with raping a female chaperone while participating in a key sports tournament.
The case has raised concerns about discipline and security at the annual Malaysian Games competition, which involves the country's top athletes under 21 years of age.
The three suspects pleaded not guilty today to raping a 20-year-old woman on July 4 at a dormitory for athletes during this year's tournament.
A district court in central Selangor State scheduled a hearing for August 20. The three suspects whose ages range between 18 and 19 were released on bail.
Rape convictions in Malaysia carry a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment.
Malaysian Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said initial investigations showed the suspects had been drinking.
