Will There Ever Be Justice And Closure For Altantuya?
The gruesome murder of 28-year-old Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariiibuu has been surrounded in conspiracies from the beginning and it seems as if the case will also close with unanswered questions.
By Mei Mei Chu — 14 Jan 2015, 12:11 PM — Updated almost 10 years ago
Altantuya's Convicted Killer And Fugitive, Sirul Refuses Extradition To Malaysia
Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar who is wanted back in Malaysia to face the death sentence for the murder of Altantatuya Shaariibuu, has engaged Australian lawyers to fight any attempts at his extradition.
Former police commando Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, is not being detained for violating Australian Immigration laws, his lawyer Datuk Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin said.
"In fact, Sirul has not run foul of any Australian law. He is just being held in an immigration centre following a red alert issued by Interpol," he said in clarifying the notion that his client was detained because his visa had expired.
themalaysianinsider.com
Sirul's Lawyer Also Hinted That Some Interesting Plans Are In The Works
"However, Sirul cannot be held indefinitely," said Kamarul, who met his client in Australia last week.
Kamarul said Sirul had a valid visa when he was arrested but it would have expired by now. "He has to apply for a protective visa to remain in Australia and fight any court battle there," he told The Malaysian Insider.
Kamarul said they have engaged local lawyers to represent Sirul, including to stop any attempt to extradite him to Malaysia from Australia. "There will be some interesting development but I can't reveal yet until we get things sorted out.”
themalaysianinsider.com
23 JAN: Azilah Hadri, Convicted For The Murder Of Altantuya, Is Seeking Pardon From Court
A former police commando sentenced to death for murdering Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu will be seeking clemency, his lawyer confirmed today.
Datuk Hazman Ahmad, who is representing former Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, told Malay Mail Online today that he will be preparing the “pardon paper” for his client.
themalaymailonline.com
"Besides the legal process, it is also the constitutional right of a convict to write to the authorities to be pardoned for the crime committed," he told The Malaysian Insider.
themalaysianinsider.com
22 JAN: Despite Capture Of Fugitive Sirul, His Detainment In Australia Is A Catch 22
Australia has not begun the process of extraditing former police commando Sirul Azhar Omar, who is sentenced to hang in Malaysia for murder, despite his arrest by the immigration department there, the Home Ministry confirmed today.
Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Wan Tuanku Jaafar pointed out that it is against Australian policy to extradite individuals facing the death sentence in their home countries.
“At the moment, it’s too early to say anything, we are talking international diplomacy here. The Australian departmental and legal process has yet to come in,” he told Malay Mail Online via text.
themalaymailonline.com
Sirul Azhar Umar is not likely to be extradited to Malaysia to face the death penalty over the death of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, Australian media reported today, adding the country's laws would prevent such a move.
The 9news.com.au online portal reports that "legislation does not allow for an individual to be surrendered to another country for an offence punishable by death".
The only exception would be in the event the country requesting the extradition gives an undertaking that the death penalty will not be carried out.
themalaysianinsider.com
21 JAN: Fugitive And Convicted Killer Of Altantuya, Sirul Azhar Umar Is Now Detained In Australia
Ex-police commando, Sirul Azhar Umar has been detained in Queensland after being sentenced to death for the murder of model and interpreter, Altantuya Shariibuu, Australian media reported.
The report said Sirul, 43, was taken into custody by immigration officials in Brisbane overnight after an Interpol red notice was issued.
It added that an immigration department spokesperson confirmed that an “unlawful non-citizen” had been detained in Brisbane and that the department was aware of Malaysia’s interest in the case.
According to the Australian news outlet, Sirul was arrested in Brisbane after global law enforcement agency Interpol issued a red notice yesterday for the former commando who was sentenced to death here for the 2006 murder.
It is believed that he is still in the custody of Queensland immigration officials, but it is unclear if they are preparing to extradite him to Malaysia.
themalaymailonline.com
Mahfuz Omar Has Offered A Listening Ear To Sirul, Urging Him To Disclose His Motive
PAS information chief Datuk Mahfuz Omar has offered himself the role of a confidant to Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar who is now said to be in Australia.
Mahfuz said he was prepared to listen to Sirul’s "side of the story" after claims from his mother that the former Special Action Unit policeman "only acted according to instructions."
“There must be a motive behind this murder. Sirul’s mother had claimed that her son was just performing his duty,” Mahfuz, the Pokok Sena MP, told a press conference.
Speaking at a press conference at PAS headquarters here, Mahfuz said he was keen to get to the bottom of the mystery and announced his phone number (019-442-3685) and e-mail address ([email protected]) for Sirul’s benefit. He said the former police corporal could also contact him through his Facebook.
Mahfuz said he was not looking for publicity, adding "I shed a tear on being informed what was relayed to me by the mother. So, Sirul please come back and make a statement,” he said.
When asked, Mahfuz said he was not defending Sirul but merely seeking the truth. “I never said he did not commit the murder, but I am questioning why the motive was never revealed to the public,” he said.
14 JAN: Interpol Will Assist In Locating Altantuya's Killer, Sirul If He Is No Longer In Australia
Sirul Azhar left for Australia in October last year and this has been confirmed by Kuala Lumpur CID chief Mohmad Salleh after checking the Malaysian Immigration Department records.
“To date, the Malaysian Immigration Department has confirmed that he went abroad to Australia. He went there in October last year. We will liaise with the Australian Federal Police if he is there, but if he has left for other destinations, we will liaise with Interpol to arrest him."
"We will definitely seek the cooperation of the international police," he said when contacted by Bernama today.
It is understood the police would issue a “Red Notice” to Interpol to help detect Sirul, and an application for the extradition will be made with the country concerned.
themalaysianinsider.com
However If Sirul Azhar Umar Is Still In Australia, Efforts To Extradite Him Could Be Problematic
Australia will face a diplomatic dilemma if Malaysia attempts to extradite Sirul Azhar Umar, convicted murderer of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, as the Abbott government is against the death penalty, Australian paper Sydney Morning Herald said today.
themalaymailonline.com
“Australia opposes the death penalty. We oppose the death penalty for Australians at home and abroad,” Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was quoted saying in reference to Australian Myuran Sukumaran, a drug mule on death row who was denied clemency by Indonesia.
themalaymailonline.com
14 JAN: The Murder Case Of Mongolian Model Altantuya Shaariiibuu Has Been Eight Years Running And The Federal Court Has Finally Given Their Verdict On 13 January 2014
During the course of their trial, it was revealed that the Mongolian model was shot and her body blown up with explosives in a jungle clearing on the night of October 19.
Two Men, Former Police Commando Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 43, And Former Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 38, Received The Mandatory Punishment For Murder - Death By Hanging
Federal Court judge Justice Suriyadi Halim Omar read an eight-page summary of the judgment saying: “We are absolutely satisfied – by alluding to the circumstantial evidence adduced by the prosecution – of only one inescapable conclusion: the prosecution has proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.” He then sentenced the two former police commandos to death, which is the mandatory punishment for murder.
thestar.com.myAzilah and Sirul, both elite Special Action Squad commandos, allegedly murdered Altantuya at Mukim Bukit Raja between 9.54pm on Oct 18, 2006, and 9.45pm the next day.
It Has Been A Nerve-Wrecking Eight Years For Them. In 2009, The High Court Found Them Guilty And Meted The Death Sentence. In 2013, They Walked Out Of Prison As Free Men After Winning Their Acquittal From The Court Of Appeal.
The decision by a panel of five judges chaired by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria was unanimous. Former police commandos Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 39, and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 43, previously won their acquittal in 2013 and walked out of prison as free men.
In the August 23, 2013 acquittal, the Court of Appeal ruled that the High Court trial judge’s misdirection had rendered the duo's 2009 death sentence and conviction unsafe.
themalaymailonline.com
The Federal Court's Decision To Reverse The Acquittal And Send The Men Back To The Death Row Was Unanimous
The decision by a panel of five judges chaired by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria was unanimous. “The Court of Appeal order is set aside. The order of conviction and mandatory death sentence by the High Court are restored,” Tan Sri Suriyadi Halim Omar said in delivering the verdict. The other judges on the five-man Federal Court bench today were Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, Tan Sri Abdull Hamid Embong and Tan Sri Ahmad Maarop.
themalaymailonline.com
Malaysia Has Been Haunted By The Mystery Of Altantuya's Gruesome Death, Linked To Najib, For Almost A Decade
Yesterday's Verdict Could Have Given Altantuya's Family And Malaysians Some Closure, But News Broke That Sirul Azhar Umar Was Missing. Sirul Did Not Show Up For The Verdict.
His Lawyer Later Revealed That He Had Lost Contact With Him For Six Months And Has No Idea Of His Whereabouts
Kamarul Hisham, the lawyer who represents Sirul, confirms that he has lost contact with his client for six months. "The last time I was contacted by my client was probably a week after the hearing in the Federal Court (from June 23 to June 25, 2014), after that (I couldn't) contact (Sirul)," he says. "I have absolutely no idea where he is. "From the last contact I had with him, I have absolutely no basis to say he acted strangely; I have reason to believe he will turn up for today's (verdict)," he adds.
malaysiakini.comAn Anonymous Source Told Bernama That Sirul Had Left For Australia Two Months Ago. The Source Said Sirul Did Not Escape And Was Anticipating The Death Sentence, But "It Was Necessary For Him To Be Overseas".
Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, one of two former police commandos sentenced to death over the 2006 murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, failed to turn up at the Federal Court because he is believed to be in Australia, Bernama reported today.
Citing an anonymous source, the national news agency said Sirul had left the country two months ago and did not have enough money to return to Malaysia to hear the Federal Court’s decision today. The source denied Sirul had escaped the country because he had anticipated the verdict, but admitted that the former policeman was aware the court would be delivering its judgement today.
“(The verdict) is not something that can be expected. However, it was necessary for Sirul Azhar to be overseas.”
themalaysianinsider.com
Malaysiakini Believes A Conspiracy Lies Behind Sirul's Absence. During The Hearing, Sirul Claimed To Have Been Made A Scapegoat "For Their Plans", Without Revealing Who "They" Were
Sirul’s absence has now fired up the conspiracy mills, with some believing that the fugitive might choose to open a can of worms. He had already dropped hints of a being in possession of a bombshell when, during the hearing before the lower courts, he had claimed to have been made a scapegoat “for their plans”. Though he never revealed who these people were, Sirul’s lawyer had also suggested that his client could have been framed.
malaysiakini.comFurthermore, The Motive Of Altantuya's Murder Was Never Established In The Shah Alam High Court, The Court Of Appeal, Nor The Federal Court. It Was Ruled Not Essential To The Case.
From the Shah Alam High Court, which found Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar guilty, the Court of Appeal which overturned the verdict, and the Federal Court which sentenced them to death, one crucial factor has remained elusive - the motive. The courts did not establish the reason behind the duo, who were attached with the elite special operations force then, dragging the Mongolian national into a jungle and blowing her up with highly restricted C4 explosives.
malaysiakini.comJustice Mohd Zaki did not allude to the motive behind the killing of Altantuya, and ruled that it was not essential to the murder case.
malaysiakini.comThe Federal Court Has Issued A Warrant Of Arrest And A Manhunt Is On For Sirul, Who Is Now A Convicted Murderer
Now, a warrant of arrest has been issued and the police are on the manhunt for the convicted murderer, who some claim could be seeking refuge abroad.
malaysiakini.comMeanwhile, Steven Shaariibuu's RM100 Million Civil Suit Against Putrajaya, The Two Convicts, And Najib's Close Associate Abdul Razak Baginda Will Continue
Setev filed a RM100-million civil suit against Abdul Razak Baginda, Azilah, Sirul and Putrajaya in June 2007. Setev filed the suit on behalf of his wife Altantsetseg Sanjaa and their two grandsons Mungunshagai Bayarjargal and Altanshagai Munkhtulga who were minors. The family is seeking damages for "suffering, sorrow, as well as physical and mental anguish".
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his former aide-de-camp Deputy Superintendent Musa Safri may be called to give evidence in a civil suit filed by Altantuya Shaariibuu's father, Setev, against Putrajaya. "Najib and Musa will be subpoenaed to testify in the case. But I do not know if they will attempt to make applications to exempt them from coming to court," Lawyer Ramkarpal Singh, who is representing Setev, told The Malaysian Insider.
themalaysianinsider.com