Assassination suspects denied evidence, lawyer says

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Handcuffed and facing the judge, two young women accused of poisoning Kim Jong Nam appeared in court Thursday as their lawyers said Malaysian police still have not handed over security camera footage and documents crucial to the defense.

Siti Aisyah from Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam are the only suspects in custody in the Feb. 13 killing of Kim, the estranged half brother of North Korea’s ruler. Four North Korean suspects fled the country the day of the murder, police say.

“The accused person should not be denied her fundamental right to a fair trial,” said Aisyah’s attorney Gooi Soon Seng. He said he has been waiting for police to provide surveillance video and statements from three North Korean men who were questioned and released.

“Neither side may seek unfair advantage by concealing weapons behind its back. There should be no trial by ambush,” Gooi said.

The judge postponed the hearing until May 30.

National Police Chief Khalid Abu Bakar said later Thursday that defense lawyers must apply for the evidence through the courts and that police have to get clearance from the attorney general before releasing it.

When asked about lawyers’ contention that they had sent requests five times, by fax and by hand, without getting a police reply, Khalid said, “Maybe it did not reach the correct officer . ... There must be some communication breakdown somewhere.”

The women are accused of smearing Kim’s face with banned VX nerve agent at a crowded airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur. But they say they were duped into thinking they were playing a harmless prank for a hidden-camera show.

The women face the death penalty if convicted.

Gooi said he fears the women will become scapegoats because all the other people believed to have knowledge of the case have left the country.

The four North Koreans who flew out of Malaysia the day of the murder are believed to be back in Pyongyang. And another three who stayed inside their country’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur to avoid questioning by police were allowed to fly home late last month after Malaysia struck a surprise deal with Pyongyang to ease tensions.