INVESTIGATION ‘RESTRICTED’

‘International issues’ hamper Jong-nam murder probe, says IO

THERE were a lot of restrictions in the investigation into the murder of Kim Chol, who was later identified as Kim Jongnam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Investigating officer Assistant Superintendent Wan Azirul Nizam Che Wan Aziz told the High Court yesterday this was because of “international issues” surrounding the murder of Kim Chol, who was killed using a liquid version of the highly toxic nerve agent VX at klia2 on Feb 13.

He said this after being pressed by Gooi Soon Seng, who is representing Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, one of the two accused of the murder trial.

Gooi had asked Wan Azirul why he did not take down the statement of Ri Ji U, known as James (according to Siti Aisyah), one of four suspects still at large, and one Chel Su, allegedly an employee at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

“I did not take any further action as I needed to refer to my superior before doing so,” said Wan Azirul.

He was testifying in the trial of Siti Aisyah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, 28, who were charged with murdering Kim Chol, along with four others still at large, at klia2 on Feb 13.

Earlier in the proceedings, the High Court heard that three suspects alleged to have been involved in the murder of Kim Chol had stopped in several countries after leaving Malaysia the same day Kim Chol was killed, before returning to Pyongyang.

The three — Hong Song Sac, known as Mr Chang, 34; Ri Ji Hyon or Mr Y, 33; and, and 57year-old Ri Jae Nam or Hanamori — flew out of Malaysia to Jakarta on a Lion Air flight, then flew on an Emirates airliner to Dubai.

They then flew to Vladivostok in Russia before returning to the North Korean capital.

Another suspect, O Jong Gil, was said to have taken a flight to Cambodia and turned back to Bangkok before continuing his journey to North Korea.

These were the suggestions made by Gooi to Wan Azirul during cross examination. However, the police officer answered that he was “not sure” to all of Gooi’s suggestions.

The witness also answered that he was “not sure” to another suggestion by the lawyer that the countries that Mr Chang, Mr Y and Hanamori visited had diplomatic ties with North Korea.

Gooi had also suggested that two employees of the North Korean embassy, Kim Uk-il and second secretary Hyon Kwang Song, hid in the embassy in Jalan Batai, Bukit Damansara, after police issued warrants of arrest against them.

The lawyer also suggested that the duo were sent back to Pyongyang in exchange for the release of nine Malaysians who were not allowed to leave North Korea and had been holed up in the Malaysia embassy there.

To these suggestions, Wan Azirul said: “I do not agree.”

However, the witness agreed with Gooi’s suggestion that police had issued arrest warrants against Uk-il and Hyon, but they could not be served as they were inside the embassy.

Wan Azirul said he was not sure whether the two men were allowed to return to North Korea after police had taken their statements.

He said he took Uk-il’s statement at the embassy at 12.15pm on March 26.