Convicted murderer Sirul Azhar Umar who was arrested in Brisbane, Australia on Wednesday has now been transferred to a maximum security prison at Sydneys Villawood Detention Centre. Australias ABC News Online reported that Sirul, who was sentenced to death by the Federal Court here for murdering Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu, had allegedly been living with family members west of Brisbane. Sirul had been found guilty along with chief inspector Azilah Hadri of Altantuyas murder, and both were sentenced to death by the highest court in the country last week. Altantuya had acted as interpreter in the governments Scorpene submarines deal with the French. Sirul and Azilah are part of the elite police commando unit assigned to escort Malaysias VVIPs including prime minister Najib Abdul Razak. He had left Malaysia before his sentence was meted out on Jan 13. Sirul was subsequently arrested in Australia after an Interpol red notice was issued the previous day. The notice said international authorities are seeking to locate and arrest the wanted person with a view to extradition or similar lawful action. Entered on valid visa The ABC News report quashes local media reports yesterday quoting a Wisma Putra official as saying that Sirul had been released with strict conditions. When contacted by Malaysiakini, Australian immigration officials also denied the reports confirming Sirul was under detention. ABC News further reported that Sirul had been living with his 19-year-old son and another relative in Ipswich, Queensland for several months. He entered Australia with a valid passport and a tourist visa last October. A man claiming to be Siruls son had recently posted in Facebook under the username Shuk Sz, “If he (Sirul) would talk to the press, Malaysia will fall.” However, the Facebook account has since been removed or deleted. Siruls lawyer Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin was also quoted by ABC saying that his team will be filing a review of the apex courts decision, and questioning the alleged murder for which the courts had found no need to establish the motive. None of the courts involved in the murder that had gripped the nation - the Shah Alam High Court, the Court of Appeal and Federal Court - broached the motive of Altantuyas murder, which had also seen political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, who is close to then defence minister and present PM Najib Abdul Razak being charged with abetment to murder. However, Abdul Razak Baginda was acquitted without his defence called in 2009 and the prosecution did not appeal the acquittal. Sirul had in his defence from the dock at the Shah Alam High Court claimed he had been made a scapegoat in order to protect their plans, without specifying who they were. Meanwhile this week, lawyer Hazman Ahmad - acting for Siruls partner Azilah - also said he will meet his client at Kajang Prison next week to discuss the latters options for challenging the verdict.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 06:18:00 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015