An Israeli man, who was arrested in Malaysia last month carrying six guns and dozens of bullets, pleaded not guilty in a Kuala Lumpur court to charges of unauthorised trafficking and possession of firearms, his lawyer said, Reuters reports.

Shalom Avitan, 38, faces two charges of illegally trafficking six guns and unauthorised possession of 158 bullets, the lawyer, Jeffrey Ooi, told Reuters.

Avitan arrived in Malaysia from the United Arab Emirates on March 12 on a French passport, police said. He was detained by police at a Kuala Lumpur hotel with a bag containing the weapons on March 27 and produced an Israeli passport upon questioning, officials have said.

Security was tight around the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex. Avitan was escorted into court by more than a dozen police officials.