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Agence France-Presse

The family of a Mongolian translator murdered in Malaysia 18 years ago have asked the government to seek the extradition of one of her killers who fled to Australia.
Altantuya Shaariibuu, 28, was shot in 2006 and her body blown up with military-grade explosives near Kuala Lumpur.
Two former police officers who were bodyguards to then-defence minister Najib Razak, who was Malaysia’s prime minister from 2009 to 2018, were convicted of her killing.
Lawyers acting for Altantuya’s family said on Monday that the Malaysian attorney general should request the extradition of Sirul Azhar Umar, who fled to Australia in 2015 and was held in immigration detention until his release last November.

The request follows the successful appeal this month of the other bodyguard convicted of Altantuya’s murder, Azilah Hadri, against his death sentence.
Malaysia’s federal court commuted Azilah’s sentence to 40 years in jail.
The Southeast Asian country removed the mandatory death penalty for crimes such as murder last year, instead giving judges the discretion to impose lesser sentences.
Australia does not conduct extraditions to countries with capital punishment and Sangeet Kaur Deo, a lawyer acting for Altantuya’s family, said there was now “no excuse for further delay”.
“The [attorney general] is urged to act quickly and decisively in securing Sirul’s immediate return to face his sentence,” Sangeet said in a statement.

Altantuya’s killing was linked to a scandal which allegedly saw kickbacks doled out during a 2002 deal to purchase French submarines, on which the Mongolian national worked as a translator.
Allegations have long circulated that Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor were involved in the murder. Both have denied the claims.
Najib, who was jailed for corruption linked to the misuse of public money, also publicly denied having had an affair with Altantuya.
Altantuya’s lover Abdul Razak Baginda, a close aide to Najib, is a central figure in the scandal and was accused of arranging the kickbacks. He was also tried over the case but acquitted of abetting the crime.


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Malaysia

Malaysia’s death penalty changes clear way for murderer’s extradition

Altantuya Shaariibu (left) and Sirul Azhar Umar. Photos: Interpol, EPA

Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar arrive at a courthouse in Shah Alam, outside Kuala Lumpur. with their faces covered in 2009. Photo: Reuters

Sangeet Kaur Deo, lawyer for the family of Altantuya Shaariibuu, speaks to the press after a court hearing in 2019. Photo: AP

Malaysia court commutes death sentence of Najib’s bodyguard for Mongolian model’s murder

Policemen Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar arrive at the courthouse in Shah Alam outside Kuala Lumpur in 2009. Photo: Reuters 

Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was murdered in 2006. Photo: EPA

Shaariibuu Setev, father of slain Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, breaks down during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur in 2006. Photo: AFP

The murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu: scandal that haunts Malaysia’s former PM Najib Razak

Najib Razak, Malaysia’s former prime minister. Photo: Bloomberg

epa00858061 BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE This undated handout picture, released on Wednesday 08 November 2006, shows Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu (also goes by the name Anna Ana Ang). A top Malaysian political analyst with a government-linked think tank was remanded Wednesday in the gruesome murder of the Mongolian model, in a case that also involves three top police officers, official news reports said. EPA/HANDOUT BEST QUALITY AVALAIBLE

Policemen Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar arrive at the courthouse in Shah Alam outside Kuala Lumpur in this January 15, 2009 file photo. The Court of Appeal overturned the conviction of Sirul Azhar and his colleague Azilah Hadri, who were accused of the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu on August 23, 2013 according to local media. In 2009, the two officers were convicted and sentenced to death by the High Court for killing the Mongolian woman in 2006. Picture taken January 15, 2009. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files (MALAYSIA - Tags: CRIME LAW)

epa01536635 Malaysian top political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda smiles as he leaves the courthouse in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia on 31 October 2008. A Malaysian court on 31 October acquitted a prominent political analyst of involvement in the gruesome killing of a Mongolian woman two years ago. EPA/AHMAD YUSNI

Hitman claims Najib Razak ordered killing of model Altantuya Shaariibuu, accusing her of spying on Malaysia

Policemen Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar arrive at court. In 2009 both were convicted and sentenced to death. Photo: Reuters

Najib Razak. Photo: EPA

Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibu (left) and Sirul Azhar Umar. Photos: Interpol, EPA

Lawyer for Malaysia’s former PM Najib Razak says hitman’s claim ‘laughable’

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has said the claim that he ordered a hit on a Mongolian model is part of a strategy to implicate him for murder so he can be detained without bail. Photo: EPA-EFE

20 November 2019, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur: Former Malaysian Prime minister Najib Razak arrives at Kuala Lumpur Court to attend his trial as he faces corruption charges. Photo: Shazreen Zamzuri/BERNAMA/dpa

News

Asia

Southeast Asia

Sirul Azhar Umar fled to Australia after the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was shot and her body blown up with explosives in 2006


Sirul Azhar Umar fled to Australia after the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was shot and her body blown up with explosives in 2006.


Crime

Najib Razak

Australia