The Malaysian Insight

KIM Jong-nam murder accused Doan Thi Huong’s lawyer, Naran Singh, today questioned the whereabouts of a blazer belonging to the deceased that was said to have the highest traces of the VX nerve agent.

“We don’t have information (on the blazer). That is what we want to ask about tomorrow.”

Earlier, sources had told The Malaysian Insight that all the clothes belonging to Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, had been returned, along with the body, to Pyongyang in February.

Jong-nam’s body was sent to North Korea in exchange for the release of Malaysians trapped in the country following the tense relations between both countries over the murder.

The trial will resume tomorrow at 9am at the Shah Alam High Court, where chemistry expert Dr Raja Subramaniam will face a cross examination by the counsel to two suspects – Doan and Siti Aisyah – charged with Jong-nam’s murder.

The fifth day of the trial ended at noon today after the deputy public prosecutor’s star witness, Dr Raja, complained of exhaustion after the “open court” session at the Chemistry Department in Petaling Jaya.

Dr Raja, who is the head of laboratories at the Centre for Analysis of Chemical Weapon Agents, earlier today showed the lawyers of both accused the clothes that their clients had worn that had traces of VX.

Siti Aisyah’s defence team, led by Gooi Soon Seng, said five individuals were allowed to enter the lab to scrutinise the evidence one by one.

Also allowed inside were the deputy public prosecutors.

Judge Azmi Ariffin observe the proceeding from outside the lab.

“Today’s case had to be postponed after the eighth witness forwarded his complaint after spending more than an hour in the lab showing the exhibits, along with lawyer Selvi (Sandrasegaran) and the second accused, Doan.

“They inspected a shirt that bore the letters ‘LOL’ and fingernail clippings.

“They opened the exhibits plastic… (and the exhibits were) one by one taken out to be identified, after which Dr Raja placed the items back into the plastic,” he told reporters after today’s session ended.

No testimony was recorded today.

Selvi said she, Dr Raja, Doan and two security guards assisting in the process had to wear respiratory masks, lab coats and gloves to protect themselves from the effects of the VX nerve agent, said to be the most lethal chemical weapon in the world.

“It was very hot inside. It was tiring for all of us.”

Dr Raja had, on Thursday, told the court that there were traces of VX on Jong-nam’s jacket, the “LOL” shirt and Doan’s fingernail clippings, as well as Siti Aisyah’s sleeveless shirt.

He told the court that there was still a risk that samples kept at the Chemistry Department contained VX.

Both Siti Aisyah and Doan have pleaded not guilty to causing Jong-nam’s death. – October 9, 2017.