Sirul Azhar, 43, and former Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 38 (heads covered), were charged with the murder of 28-year-old Altantuya in 2006. ― File pic TMMO
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 ― Australia has refused Malaysia’s request to extradite Sirul Azhar Umar who was sentenced to death for killing Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Sirul Azhar Umar – Pic Malaysiakini
Australian paper Sydney Morning Herald reported today an unnamed Australian Attorney-General’s Department spokesman as saying that Australia’s extradition legislation prohibited someone from being sent back to another country for an offence punishable by death, unless that country pledged not to carry out a death sentence.
The daily reported that Malaysian police have requested their Australian counterparts to arrest and extradite Sirul, one of the two former police commandos who are now facing the gallows after the Federal Court overturned Tuesday their acquittal over Altantuya’s murder.
The paper said yesterday Australia would face a diplomatic dilemma as Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is against the death penalty.
“Australia opposes the death penalty. We oppose the death penalty for Australians at home and abroad,” Abbott was quoted saying in reference to Australian Myuran Sukumaran, a drug mule on death row who was denied clemency by Indonesia.
According to Sydney Morning Herald, Australia signed an extradition treaty with Malaysia in 2006.
Sirul Azhar, 43, and former Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 38, were charged with the murder of 28-year-old Altantuya in 2006.
Both men 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.
In 2009, the duo formerly with the police’s Special Action Unit (UTK) were found guilty of murdering Altantuya in Mukim Bukit Raja in Klang between 10pm on October 19, 2006 and 1am on October 20, 2006.
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.
The Federal Court reversed the acquittal Tuesday and sent them back to hang, marking the end to the eight-year saga.
The decision by a panel of five judges chaired by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria was unanimous. TMMO
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