73
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vietnamese suspect Doan Thi Huong, center in blue, is escorted by police officers out from Sepang court in Sepang, Malaysia, Tuesday. The two women, Doan and Indonesia’s Siti Aisyah, who are the only suspects arrested in the assassination of an outcast from North Korea’s ruling family, have appeared in court in Malaysia.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia >> A suspect in the poisoning death of the North Korean leader’s half brother has written to her parents from jail, asking them to pray for her but saying “don’t think about me too much.”
Siti Aisyah, an Indonesian, appeared in court Tuesday along with a second suspect, Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam. Their case was formally transferred to the High Court as the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear a murder case.
The two women are accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nam’s face at the Kuala Lumpur airport on Feb. 13. Kim died soon afterward. The women have said they were duped into thinking they were playing a harmless prank for a hidden-camera show.
Yusron Ambary, counsellor at the Indonesian Embassy, said Siti wrote a letter to her parents recently, asking them not to worry about her.
“I am in good health. Just pray. Don’t think about me too much. Keep healthy and pray at night. I have a lot of people helping me. The embassy officials always come to see me, my lawyers also. Don’t worry. Pray for me so that the case will be over soon and I can go back home. Send my love to my son Rio,” he read from the letter to reporters outside the courtroom.
Armed escorts accompanied the women, who smiled at their embassy representatives as they were brought to the dock.
Prosecutor Iskandar Ahmad said the date for their first appearance in the High Court would usually be within a month. The suspects would then enter pleas and the trial would have to start within 90 days, Iskandar said.
Police have said four North Korean suspects fled Malaysia the day of the attack. Defense lawyers fear the women will be scapegoats because other people believed to have knowledge of the case left the country.
Although Malaysia never directly accused North Korea of carrying out the attack, speculation is rampant that Pyongyang orchestrated a hit on a long-exiled member of its ruling elite. Although Kim, who was estranged from his family, was not an obvious political threat, he may have been seen as a potential rival in the country’s dynastic dictatorship.
North Korea has denounced such speculation.
By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines.
Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.