Malaysia Crime Watch

9 April 2009
Shah Alam

Counsel for murder victim and Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, Karpal Singh, said that the suspect or suspects and motive for the murder are still uncertain. He said that Altantuya’s father, Dr. Shaariibuu, would proceed to apply for a judicial review of the Attorney-General’s decision not to file an appeal against the acquittal of co-accused Abdul Razak Baginda on 31 October 2008.

Murder-accused 32-year-old Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and 36-year-old Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar were both sentenced to death by the High Court.

On Thursday morning, High Court judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yassin read the judgement to the two Special Action Force (UTK) officers while several family members were present. He only spent time reading the last four pages of his 283-page draft judgement.

Azhar, is represented by Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, Hasnal Redzua Merican and Ahmad Zaidi Zainal. Azilah is represented by two counsels, Datuk Hazman Ahmad and J. Kuldeep Kumar.

Later, Azilah’s 32-year-old fiancee Nur Azila Baharuddin said they accept the court’s decision and have put their marriage plans on hold. They have been dating since 2004 and were engaged in 2006.

The high profile trial broke several records as 84 out of 198 witnesses testified and the trial taking 165 days to complete proceedings. Azhar has been in the Sungai Buloh Prison for 895 days while Azilah spent 891 days.

Lawyers Datuk Hazman Ahmad and Hasnal Rezua Merican both said they would be filing appeals against the ruling for Azilah and Azhar respectively.

Mongolian language translator Enkhjargal Tsetsgee was also present at the High Court and had sent a text message to Altantuya’s father when the judgement was passed.

The Star Online – Altantuya murder: Motive remains unclear, says Karpal
<URL:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/9/nation/20090409181944&sec=nation>

The Star Online – Altantuya murder: Calm despite death sentence
<URL:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/9/nation/20090409143659&sec=nation>

The Star Online – Altantuya murder: It’s death for Azilah and Sirul (Update2)
<URL:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/9/nation/20090409093431&sec=nation>

New Straits Times Online – It’s the gallows for Azilah, Sirul
<URL:http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2527879/Article/index_html>

MCW – Altantuya Murder Trial: Verdict Set April 9
<URL:http://malaysiacrimewatch.lokety.com/altantuya-murder-trial-verdict-set-april-9/>

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