Malaysia’s Court Keeps the Kim Jong Nam Murder Case Live
Where it’s all happening: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – the scene that turned into a courtroom standoff.
What’s on the docket
- Two women – Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong – face the death penalty for allegedly smearing Kim Jong Nam’s face with a deadly nerve‑gas called VX.
- Back in February 2019, they supposedly dropped that toxic sludge at a Kuala Lumpur airport, a move that would have turned the skies in perfect storm.
- Right now, four more suspects are still on the run, complicating the puzzle.
Judge Azmi Ariffin’s Take
Judge Azmi Ariffin says the prosecution has a solid first impression that these two ladies had “a common intention” to kill Kim Jong Nam. And that’s enough to push them to come up with their defense.
He also made it crystal clear – without calling it a “political assassination” – that the evidence isn’t strong enough to prove that angle. So, for now, it stays merely a violent crime.
Logistics for the Trial
The women are set to testify between November and February next year. Judge Azmi has called the sessions “the next chapter” in this high‑stakes drama.
Until the courtroom pitches the final verdict, the case remains on the front pages, more dramatic than any Hollywood thrilling for the political intrigue it promised.
Case Unfolds: Prank or Plot?
On August 16, 2018, Indonesian 20‑year‑old Siti Aisyah (R) was escorted out of the Shah Alam High Court by Malaysian police. She and fellow defendant Huong – both in their twenties – stood in the spotlight with a “not guilty” plea, claiming they mistook the situation for a prank meant for a reality‑TV show.
The Judge’s Verdict
The judge was less than convinced. “A prank should be all fun and no harm,” he explained, pointing out that no hidden crew members were in the scene, and the target wasn’t part of the joke. He noted the absence of a typical prank twist that usually eases the victim into the laugh.
- Pranks must end with everyone laughing.
- Target
—no hidden crew involved. - Defence argument failed the court.
Aftermath: Tears, Comfort, and Silence
Following the ruling, Siti Aisyah was seen crying. Her lawyers and Indonesian embassy officials rushed to console her. Meanwhile, Huong remained unresponsive, a silent corner of the courtroom drama.
In Vietnam, Huong’s father, Doan Van Thanh, expressed his uncertainty about next steps, hoping for a declaration of innocence so she could return home.
Defence Claims and Accusations
The defense argued the killings were politically motivated. They pointed to key suspects allegedly linked to the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur and suggested both women were merely pawns.
Siti’s lawyer, Gooi Soon Seng, decried the evidence as “flimsy and circumstantial,” noting reliance solely on security footage and traces of VX found on her.
Similarly, Huong’s counsel, Hisyam Teh, maintained that his client behaved like an innocent person after the incident.
Trial Highlights
The prosecution wrapped up its closing arguments in June, citing testimony from 34 witnesses. Expert witnesses confirmed VX traces on both women’s clothing, and video footage showed them meeting two suspects at the airport prior to the attack. Nearly the same footage indicated Huong possibly smearing something on public figure Kim Jong Nam’s face.
A Cold Truth: Pyongyang Says No
Despite accusations from South Korean and US officials pointing at Kim Jong Un’s regime, Pyongyang outright denied any involvement.
