{
  "id": 14878897,
  "title": "Lawyer: Zara Qairina's death affected everyone, not just family",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/lawyer-zara-qairinas-death-affected-everyone-not-just-family",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T05:42:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1556732/lawyer-zara-qairinas-death-affected-everyone-not-just-family"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Joan Goh, representing one of the accused minors in the Zara Qairina Mahathir case, emphasized that the tragedy impacted not only Zara's family but also the five teens accused of verbal abuse and bullying her. After the 96-day inquest concluded, coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan announced he would deliver his verdict on January 15. Goh urged the public to refrain from drawing conclusions and making unwarranted accusations, allowing the judicial process to unfold without sensationalism or speculation. The tragedy affected Zara's family, and the five minors caught in the middle of intense public scrutiny. Zara passed away on July 17, 2022, after being found unconscious at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha hostel. Goh's colleague, Prem Elmer Ganasan, stressed the importance of a fair 96-day inquest, considering all evidence provided by experts, including forensic pathologists, psychiatrists, and investigators. The team of conducting officers included former Sabah prosecution director Nahra Dollah and deputy public prosecutors. Zara's parents, Noraidah Lamat and Mahathir Mohd Hashim, were represented by various lawyers, while the accused minors were represented by different attorneys.",
  "summary": "KOTA KINABALU: The Zara Qairina Mahathir tragedy has affected not just the teen’s family, but many others.",
  "key_points": [
    "Zara Qairina's death affected her family and the five accused minors.",
    "Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan to deliver verdict on January 15.",
    "96-day inquest considered evidence from experts and conducting officers."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The conclusion of this lengthy inquest shifts the focus from public speculation toward a formal judicial verdict that must weigh expert evidence against the intense scrutiny facing the accused minors.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Court sets Jan 15 for Zara Qairina inquest verdict",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/court-sets-jan-15-for-zara-qairina-inquest-verdict",
        "published": "2026-10-16T02:22:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Court to decide on inquest into Zara’s death on Jan 15",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/court-to-decide-on-inquest-into-zaras-death-on-jan-15",
        "published": "2026-10-16T02:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Coroner’s Court sets Jan 15, 2027 for verdict in Zara Qairina inquest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/coroners-court-sets-jan-15-2027-for-verdict-in-zara-qairina-inquest",
        "published": "2026-10-16T03:42:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Zara Qairina inquest verdict set for Jan 15",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/zara-qairina-inquest-verdict-set-for-jan-15",
        "published": "2026-10-16T06:04:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}