Friday, November 17, 2006

Mongolian model murder

A dishevelled and unshaven Abdul Razak Baginda showed no emotion as he was charged with abetting the gruesome murder of a Mongolian model. If he is found guilty, the prominent political analyst faces the death penalty.

Abdul Razak's wife, Mazlinda Mahzan was far more emotional.

She shouted: "My husband is an innocent man! Why do this to him, he's a good man. The police killed her."

She was only allowed back into the court after she had calmed down.

His 19-year-old daughter Rowena, hugged him and whispered: "Be strong, no matter what happens."

The victim, 28-year-old Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, is believed to have been shot twice and her body blown up with C4 explosives to hide the crime.

Two policemen — Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Constable Sirul Azhar Umar — were charged on Wednesday with the murder. The policemen, both part of an elite unit tasked with protecting VIPs in Malaysia, also face the death penalty if convicted.

Prosecutors have not said how Abdul Razak knew the policemen or what their motive was for killing the model.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had pledged a thorough investigation and the police chief had said there would be no cover up.

The murder of the model has gripped the nation. With talk of an affair, extortion, police involvement and a top analyst tied to the deputy prime minister, the case has all the ingredients of a salacious scandal and the media are making the best of it.

"It has the three Ss going for it: sensationalism, sex and scandal. The public likes to read (this kind) of news," said Mr M Krishnamoorthy, the chief reporter of Malaysia's largest-circulated English newspaper, The Star.

Newspaper and TV reporters have been chasing clues and lurid details to piece together the sordid tale of an alleged extramarital affair gone sour.

On the political front, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar yesterday assured the Bangkok-based Mongolian ambassador Yachii Bauuri that the rule of law will take its course in the investigation.

Meanwhile, Ms Shaariibuu's father, uncle and cousin held a prayer ceremony yesterday at the site where her remains were discovered. — AP, with additional reporting by fawziah selamat
Abdul Razak charged with abetting in model's murder

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