Kim Jong-nam Murder Suspect Says Malaysian Authorities Threatened To Kill His Family

He accused police of presenting him with "fake evidence" and threatening to kill his family who were staying with him in Kuala Lumpur, reported The Telegraph.

"I realised that this is a conspiracy, plot, to try to damage the status and honour of the republic," he said adding that police showed him pictures of his family in detention.

"If I just accept everything, they will make arrangements for a good life in Malaysia."

Saying that he was not at the airport on the day of the incident, Ri Jong-chol said that he was the only North Korean held in connection with the death.

When questioned about reports of a car discovered near the airport said to be registered in his name, he said he knew nothing about the accusation that his car was used in the case. "It was in my car garage. Malaysian police accepted this too."

He has been released because of a lack of evidence to charge him and was handed over to immigration officials for deportation because he didn't have valid travel documents, Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

While Malaysia has not directly accused North Korea of being behind the killing, the murder of Kim Jong-nam has soured relations between Malaysia and North Korea, which had maintained friendly ties for decades.

Meanwhile, South Korean intelligence and US officials say the murder was an assassination organised by North Korean agents.