PUTRAJAYA, Feb. 28 -- The Federal Court has overturned the murder conviction and death sentence of six former National Defence University (UPNM) students in connection with the death of navy cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain eight years ago.

According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), the court reinstated the High Court's original verdict, sentencing them to 18 years in prison for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

A three-member panel led by Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim ruled that the prosecution had not proven the elements of murder beyond a reasonable doubt against the appellants.

"We set aside the murder conviction. However, there was sufficient evidence to find them guilty of committing culpable homicide not amounting to...