Sirul, convicted for killing Altantuya Shaariibuu, can be extradited to M’sia – if he does not face the gallows, says Australia. We’ll discuss this with Dr M, says DPM.
KUALA LUMPUR: The extradition of Sirul Azhar Umar, who was convicted and sentenced to death for murdering Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, will be discussed with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
“If Malaysia’s mandatory death sentence (for murder) can be changed, he (Sirul) can return,” she said when asked to comment on Sirul’s political asylum bid that was rejected by an Australian court on Monday.
Dr Wan Azizah was met after officiating the third anniversary celebration of the China Entrepreneurs Association in Malaysia (PUCM) last night which was held to mark the 45th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.
An Australian Attorney-General’s Department spokesman said the AG must be satisfied that on return to the requesting country, there was no risk that the death penalty would be carried out on the person in relation to the offence.
“Australia’s Extradition Act does not allow for extradition from Australia where the offence is subject to the death penalty, unless an undertaking is provided that the death penalty will not be imposed, or if imposed, not carried out,” the spokesman told Bernama via e-mail.
ABC reported that an unnamed associate of Sirul, who is being held at Sydney’s Villawood detention centre, took the latter’s case for political asylum to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in Sydney.
It reported that after a lengthy court process, the tribunal rejected Sirul’s initial claim and the appeal on grounds that it was not a political crime.
Altantuya, 28, is believed to have been shot dead before being blown to bits with explosives in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam, in 2006.
Last August, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said her government had yet to receive any application from Malaysia seeking the extradition of the convicted policeman.