Doan Thi Huong trial: Lawyer accuses Malaysia of being 'unethical'

The lawyer for the Indonesian suspect, Ms. Siti Aishah, accused the Malaysian government of being “unethical” in not providing full relevant documents before the trial.

Two female suspects Doan Thi Huong (left) and Siti Aishah will continue to appear in court today - Photo: Reuters

According to AFP news agency, today (May 30), as planned, the two main female suspects in the murder of North Korean citizen Kim Chol at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in February, 25-year-old Indonesian Siti Aishah and 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong, will appear in court.

Kim Chol is believed to be Kim Jong Nam - the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The two suspects face the death penalty if convicted. However, they have so far denied all charges, saying they were tricked into acting as if they were taking part in a reality TV show rather than assassinating Kim Jong Nam.

Gooi Soon Seng, the lead lawyer defending Siti Aishah, said that the Malaysian police and prosecutors did not provide the defendant with CCTV footage of the assault on Mr. Kim, nor did they provide a forensic report on Mr. Kim.

“Of course this is very disruptive. I have sent requests and reminders many times but not once have I received a response. This is extremely unethical and unkind,” said Gooi Soon Seng.

According to the Indonesian suspect’s lawyer, CCTV footage and forensic reports are crucial documents in preparing the defense. Mr. Gooi suspects that prosecutors may make a surprise move.

“The rights to a fair trial require that all relevant documents be provided at the earliest possible time in the pre-trial period, not at the last minute before the start of the trial,” he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s deputy public prosecutor, Muhammad Iskandar Ahmad, asked the defense lawyers to be patient. He assured: “Please be patient. We have a responsibility to provide all documents before the trial. That is the procedure we have followed in all other cases. This is just such a case and we are just following the correct procedure.”

Mr. Muhammad Iskandar Ahmad said that on May 30, prosecutors are expected to request that the case be transferred to the Supreme Court for trial.

Meanwhile, police are still tracking four North Korean suspects involved in the assassination of Kim Jong Nam. These people are believed to have returned to Pyongyang soon after the incident.

According to Tuoi Tre