Assassination of North Korea’s Kim Jong-un’s Half-brother: One of the Accused Released

An Indonesian accused of having been involved in the assassination two months ago of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother at Kuala Lumpur airport, a crime with the hints of the Cold War, was released Monday, the prosecutor’s office having given up the pursuit for murder.

Siti Aisyah had been on trial for a year and a half with a Vietnamese woman for the murder of Kim Jong Nam in 2017 at Kuala Lumpur airport.

“I am happy. I did not know it would happen. I did not expect it, “said the 27-year-old, who had previously hugged her Vietnamese co-defendant, Doan Thi Huong, to the dock when the news was announced.

The Indonesian authorities have made significant diplomatic efforts to release Aisyah, particularly under pressure from the president. The Indonesian Minister of Justice had written to the Attorney General of Malaysia to ask for his release, citing problems with the case, and he agreed last week.

Prosecutor Muhammad Iskandar Ahmad had demanded that the case be dropped against the young woman without giving reasons. She can leave the country, he explained.

The women had always denied the murder, claiming that they had been prompted by North Korean spies to run the hit in the Cold War using a VX nervous agent, and thought it was a joke for a reality show. Their lawyers presented them as scapegoats, claiming that the authorities were unable to catch the real killers.

Four North Koreans – officially accused of murdering women – fled Malaysia shortly after the assassination.

The trial, which began in October 2017, was scheduled to resume Monday.

The judge accepted a discharge which did not constitute an acquittal and ordered the immediate release of Aisyah. This means that Aisyah has not been officially acquitted and could, in theory, be arrested again.

The news was a surprise, as the court was only waiting for Huong’s testimony on Monday, and the Vietnamese woman was shocked at not being released alongside Aisyah.

“I do not know what will happen to me now. I am innocent. Please, pray for me, “said the 30-year-old. His testimony was adjourned on Monday because his lawyers said they would also request that the accused be released.

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