PETALING JAYA: The two women suspected to have murdered North Korean Kim Jong-nam were allegedly “recruited” by a man to carry out the deadly task as early as three months ago.
According to a report by China Press, both Siti Aisyah, 25, and Doan Thi Huong, 29, were not North Korean “special agents” but were possibly duped by a spy ring to commit the assassination.
China Press reported that the mystery man, believed to be a spy, got to know Thi Huong about three months ago in Malaysia, and she eventually became his escort.
The man took her on several overseas trips, including to Vietnam, where they visited her hometown and another trip to South Korea.
The man then introduced Thi Huong to the four men still wanted by police in connection with the killing.
The man got to know Siti Aisyah about a month ago, but only introduced the two women to each other recently when he told them about a “prank “ he wanted them to pull.
The two women have claimed that they had no idea that it would lead to trouble as they thought it was only supposed to be a filming of the prank.
They apparently rehearsed the “spoof” many times and were able to carry out the process proficiently.
The report also said that Siti Aisyah was tasked with using a handkerchief to cover Jong-nam’s face while Thi Huong administered an injection.
China Press reported that Siti Aisyah claimed she was paid US$100 (RM445) to pull off the “prank”.
Jong-nam, 45, was killed by two women who splashed his face with a chemical at the KLIA2 departure hall at about 9am on Monday as he was about to leave for Macau.
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