Trial of Two Women Dragged out to March (and Beyond)
The trial of Siti Aisyah from Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam, accused of slapping North Korea’s Kim Jong Nam with a deadly nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur airport, has been pushed back until March. The slow-moving case is now expected to linger until at least mid‑2019.
What’s Gone Wrong?
- Long‑handed proceedings: Too many witnesses and school‑grade pacing have stalled the court. No new hearings have taken place since August, when the prosecution wrapped up its case.
- Defense appeal: The women’s lawyers are suing for access to key witness statements, arguing the prosecution should make them public. The prosecution says otherwise.
- Next hearing: The trial will resume on March 11 with Huong’s defense. Additional hearings set until July 31 mean the final verdict could arrive only after that date.
Murder or Prank?
The accused have insisted they were hired to pull a harmless joke and were tricked by North Korean agents. The prosecution, however, maintains that the killing was carefully planned, with CCTV footage showing the women’s attack on Kim Jong Un’s relative. South Korea claims the North orchestrated the assassination, a claim that Pyongyang vehemently denies.
Potential Consequences
Under current Malaysian law, both women will face the death penalty if found guilty. While the government has pledged to abolish capital punishment, Parliament still needs to approve the change.
Key Names to Remember
Siti Aisyah – Proudly Indonesian, accused of business with a blade.
Doan Thi Huong – Vietnamese aunt of the alleged mastermind.
Kim Jong Nam – The half‑brother of North Korea’s leader who fell victim to the nerve “prank.”
So, as the courtroom drama unfolds, keep your eyes glued to Kuala Lumpur – the saga is far from to‑day, and the verdict still hangs in the balance like a nervous audience waiting for the punchline of the century.
