KUALA LUMPUR: The air was thick with anticipation as pressmen camped in front of the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex, where Israeli Shalom Avitan was to be charged with possession of firearms and ammunition.

Reporters began gathering outside the court complex at around 6.45am to wait for Avitan, who was expected to arrive by 8am.Blaring sirens were heard at around 8.09am as the police convoy approached the court complex.