Lawyer reveals defense direction for suspect in Kim Jong-nam case

The lawyer for one of the two suspects in the murder of North Korean citizen believed to be Mr. Kim Jong-nam said he focused on details of the victim being murdered with VX nerve agent, according to Reuters.

Lawyer Gooi Soong Seng answers questions from the press. Photo: Reuters

In an interview with the press this morning, June 16, Gooi Soong Seng, defense lawyer for Indonesian suspect Siti Aishah, said he is seeking the help of foreign experts to evaluate evidence related to the use of VX nerve agent in the murder of North Korean citizen Kim Chol in Malaysia on February 13.

According to the lawyer, the Malaysian prosecutors today handed over 44 documents related to the case, including autopsy reports, chemical analysis results, arrest reports, statements of suspects and some other data. Some of the data will be transferred to experts in Denmark and some other countries to assess whether VX nerve agent was used in this case.

“In the autopsy report, they have confirmed that the cause of death was VX. So we will look into this aspect,” Gooi said, without specifying which aspect he wanted experts to assess.

A North Korean citizen carrying a passport named Kim Chol died suddenly at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Malaysia) on the morning of February 13. Malaysian investigators believe that this man is Kim Jong-nam, the older brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Based on the results of the autopsy, Malaysia said that their forensic experts found VX nerve agent in the victim's eyes and face.

Both suspect Doan Thi Huong and suspect Siti Aishah told the investigation agency as well as diplomatic representatives that they participated in this mission because they thought it was a reality TV scene.

Lawyer Gooi said defense lawyers are still waiting to be handed over security camera data at the airport at the time of the murder as well as studying video footage of Siti Aishah rehearsing at hotels and shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Doan Thi Huong's defense lawyer, said that defense lawyers are also looking for "important evidence" in Vietnam, but he did not elaborate.

Next hearing on July 28

Vietnamese suspect Doan Thi Huong and Indonesian suspect Siti Aishah. Photo: AFP

For security reasons, this morning, June 16, the fourth trial of the two female suspects, Doan Thi Huong and Siti Aishah, took place at Kajang Women's Prison in Selangor state instead of the Shah Alam High Court. According to the New Straits Times, the main purpose of today's 30-minute trial is to carry out the process of "case file management", helping the court and related parties to monitor the proceedings.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Iskandar Ahmad said the next hearing will be on July 28 at the Shah Alam High Court.

According to the official, at the trial this morning, prosecutors handed over 44 documents related to the case, including autopsy reports, chemical analysis results, arrest reports, suspect statements and some other data. Data such as airport security camera recordings can be handed over before or during the next trial.

According to Dan Tri