The Sessions Court here today issued a warrant of arrest against lawyer P.Uthayakumar for failing to turn up for his sedition trial.

Judge Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain made the order after granting deputy public prosecutor Nor Azlina Rasdi's application.

Uthayakumar's bailor told the court that he received Uthayakumar's medical certificate dated April 3 to May 17 on April 4 and was told to submit it to the court today.

Uthayakumar is charged with publishing a seditious letter in the "Police Watch" website between Nov 15 and Dec 8, 2007.

The offence under section 4 (1) (c) of the Sedition Act carries a maximum RM5,000 fine or three years jail, of both, on conviction.

Uthayakumar is contesting in the Sri Andalas state and Kota Raja parliamentary constituencies in the May 5 general election.