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

The lawyer for the Indonesian suspect, Siti Aishah, accused the Malaysian government of being “unethical” in failing to provide 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 men face the death penalty if convicted. They have 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.

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

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

According to the Indonesian suspect's lawyer, the CCTV footage and forensic report are very important documents in preparing the defense. Mr. Gooi suspects that the 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 to be patient. “Please be patient. We have a responsibility to provide all documents before the trial. That is the procedure in all other cases. This is just such a case and we are just following the correct procedure,” he assured.

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