KUALA LUMPUR, SUNDAY — Allegations that Pyongyang was behind the murder of Kim Jong Nam have strengthened. These allegations are based on the alleged involvement of, at least, five North Korean citizens in the murder of the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. One suspect has been arrested and four others are on the run.
Malaysia Police deputy chief Noor Rashid Ibrahim Sunday (19/2) in Kuala Lumpur said his side was coordinating with Interpol to track down the four North Korean citizens. They reportedly entered Malaysia a few days before the fatal attack on Kim Jong Nam and left the country on the day of the murder.
Noor Rashid said the four North Koreans had been identified as Ri Ji Hyon, Hong Song Hac, O Joong Gil and Ri Jae Nam. “The four suspects hold regular passports, not diplomatic ones,” Noor Rashid said, adding the police would soon arrest them.
So far, the Malaysian Police have arrested four suspects, one whom is North Korean, Ri Jong Chol, last Saturday. The three other suspects were from Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The police are continuing their investigation. They have taken DNA samples from Kim Jong Nam’s closest relatives. So far, the Malaysian Police have not identified the cause of Kim Jong Nam’s death. They are waiting for pathology and toxicology results.
Many suspect that Kim Jong Nam was killed using poison. “Based on various factors, our government believes the murdered man was Kim Jong Nam and, given the fact that five of the suspects are North Korean citizens, we think the North Korean government was behind this incident,” South Korea Ministry of Unification spokesperson Jeong Joon-hee said.
They were concerned about the murder of Kim Jong Nam and suspected the attack was carried out by an agent or operator under instructions from Pyongyang. However, Seoul refused to comment any further on the case.
As reported earlier, Kim Jong Nam, half brother to Kim Jong Un, died after someone sprayed his face with liquid at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Based on CCTV footage, the Malaysian Police are convinced the attack was carried out by two women. After being sprayed with the liquid, Kim Jong Nam went to a customer service official. He was then rushed to hospital but his life could not be saved.
Deceived
One of the women allegedly involved in the attack was Siti Aisyah (SA), an Indonesian passport holder. Speaking to Reuters, Aisyah’s mother said her daughter had been deceived. “She said she wanted to go to Malaysia for a reality show, surprising people by spraying them with perfume,” her mother said. “She was offered a job to be a model for a perfume advertisement,” she added.
However, the Malaysian Police are reluctant to comment on this. They are also unwilling to comment on the motif for the attack saying the investigation was underway.
Deputy Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Andreano Erwin said via short message that the police were still investigating the case. “Based on Malaysian law, the police can detain someone for seven days to facilitate the investigation process and during this process no-one, including the lawyers, is not allowed to accompany the suspect,” Andreano said. The Indonesian government keeps trying to get consular access to ensure Aisyah’ legal rights.
People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) chair Zulkifli Hasan said the state must give protection and defend Aisyah to ensure she is treated fairly. “Whether or not she was involved in the murder, SA – as an Indonesian citizen – must get legal aid and fair treatment,” Zulkifli said during his visit to Muhammadiyah University in Magelang. (AFP/REUTERS/EGI/JOS)
(AFP/REUTERS/EGI/JOS)