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MALACCA: Police are looking to arrest more people, including a VIP, over the murder of Kim JongNam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. However, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar declined to elaborate on the impending arrests, saying only “they will be detained when the time is right”.
“I do not deny there are more North Koreans involved in the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam, and we will use the proper channels, according to the law, to arrest them.
“But I do not wish to disclose (details) now,” Khalid told reporters after launching the “Kembara Sang Saka Biru” programme in conjunction with the 210th Police Day celebrations here yesterday.
“Some media personnel have sent me text messages asking if there would be further arrests relating to this case. I can confirm there will be more arrests,” said Khalid, who declined to reveal the number of suspects sought or their nationalities.
Jong-Nam was murdered with VX nerve agent by two women as he was preparing to board a flight for Macau at klia2 on Feb 13.
The women, Indonesian Siti Aisyah and
Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, have been charged with his murder.
Police have named seven North Korean men sought in connection with the case – four have fled the country and two are believed to be taking refuge in the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur while the seventh suspect, Ri Ji U @ James, 30, is believed to be at large in Malaysia.
The two North Koreans thought to be inside the embassy are its Second Secretary Hyon Kwang-Song, 44, and Air Koryo employee Kim Uk-il, 37.
A warrant of arrest has been issued for UkIl and a letter requesting Hyon’s cooperation has been delivered to the embassy.
Another North Korean, chemist Ri JongChol was earlier arrested but was subsequently released and deported due to lack of evidence.
Meanwhile, an Interpol Red Notice has also been issued for Ri Ji Hyon, 32, Hong Song Hac, 32, O Joong Gil, 54, and Ri Jae Nam, 56, the four who fled immediately after the assassination. A Red Notice is akin to an international arrest warrant, and Interpol would circulate the alert to member countries listing persons who are wanted for extradition.
“We must first go after the four men against whom we have secured the Interpol Red Notice, (then) record statements from Hyon and Uk-Il, who we believe are still in the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur. All this will be done through the proper legal channels,” Khalid said.
He said there was no need to hold JongNam’s body as probe into the identity and cause of death has been completed.