PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has convicted two former Special Action Unit personnel Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar, 43, and C/Insp Azilah Hadri, 38, of murdering Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Justice Suriyadi Halim Omar, who read the judgement, ruled that the prosecution had proven its case against the two accused beyond reasonable doubt.
C/Insp Azilah was seen wearing a pinstripe suit, seated outside the dock.
However, Kpl Sirul did not attend the hearing.
On Aug 23, 2013, the Court of Appeal overturned the Shah Alam High Court's decision to convict Kpl Sirul and C/Insp Azilah, sparing them from the gallows.
The panel chaired by Justice Mohamed Apandi Ali, in a 47-page judgment held that circumstantial evidence adduced by the prosecution was insufficient and that the duo’s guilt had not been satisfactorily proven.
In 2009, Kpl Sirul and C/Insp Azilah were convicted and sentenced to death by the Shah Alam High Court for killing the Mongolian woman at Mukim Bukit Raja, Klang, between 10pm on Oct 19, 2006, and 1am on Oct 20, 2006.
Former political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda Baginda, who was jointly charged with them, was acquitted of by the High Court on Oct 31, 2008, after the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
The prosecution did not appeal against his acquittal.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
