Published April 10, 2009

Policemen get death for murder

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(SHAH ALAM) A Malaysian court yesterday sentenced two policemen to death on charges of murdering a Mongolian woman who was blown up with explosives after her year-long affair with the prime minister's friend ended in a messy disagreement.

The verdict closes another chapter in a case that has riveted the nation, become fodder for the Opposition's election campaigns and spawned intense public speculation about political conspiracies and sex scandals in high places.

The woman's former lover, Abdul Razak Baginda, a close aide of Prime Minister Najib Razak, was acquitted last year of charges of abetting her murder.

Wrapping up the policemen's 159-day trial, High Court Judge Zaki Yasin ruled that he found the defence of Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar 'unbelievable' as 'each of them is blaming the other'. He said that he was convicting 'both of you as charged' with murdering 28-year-old Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu sometime between Oct 19 and Oct 20, 2006.

'They failed to raise any reasonable doubt in the prosecution's case,' Mr Zaki said. 'I sentence both of you to death' by hanging, he said.

The defendants looked emotionless as the verdict was being read. Defence lawyers said that they would appeal.

The prosecution had contended that Ms Shaariibuu's murder was ordered by her former lover Abdul Razak Baginda, a well known defence analyst and a popular figure among the country's elite, after their affair ended.

Mr Zaki acquitted Mr Abdul Razak in October of charges of abetting the murder. But the trial failed to explain what motive the policemen could have for killing the woman. -- AP