Police have no leads on suspects
Interpol’s help sought in tracing the four men in Jong-nam murder, says IO
SHAH ALAM: Police could not arrest four men who are charged together with the two accused in the murder of North Korean Kim Chol as there was insufficient information on them.
The four, who are still at large, are known as Mr Chang, Mr Y, James and Hanamori, said investigating officer in charge of the case Asst Supt Wan Azirul Nizam Che Wan Aziz.
The 39-year-old witness told the High Court that based on investigations, the police only had the men's pseudonyms.
“We do not have their identification details such as passport number or handphone number,” he said at the trial of Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, 28, who are charged with the murder of Kim, 45, at the departure hall of the KL International Airport 2 (KLIA2) at 9am on Feb 13.
Kim Chol is the alias used by Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, when he travelled.
ASP Wan Azirul said police had issued an order and an application for help to Bukit Aman Special Branch and Interpol respectively in an effort to trace the four suspects.
He said there was a fifth man by the name of Ri Jong-chol who was also arrested in connection with the case.
Based on CCTV footage, there was an MPV registered under the name Ri Jong-chol and the vehicle was seen sending off two of the male suspects at KLIA2 on the day of the incident, ASP Wan Azirul said.
However, after investigation was carried out, there was no concrete evidence to prosecute Ri and he was deported, he said.
According to ASP Wan Azirul, Kim entered Malaysia on Feb 6 through a gate in KLIA2.
“I picked up the confirmation on his citizenship and passport from the embassy,” he said.
ASP Wan Azirul said there was a record of Doan entering the country on Feb 4 but there was no record of entry for Siti Aisyah.
“Siti Aisyah was only recorded as leaving Malaysia on Jan 21 through the KLIA2 gate,” he said.
The hearing continues today before Justice Azmi Ariffin.