Beijing – A North Korean questioned in connection with the killing of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has accused the Malaysian government of arresting him without evidence and trying to make him confess.
Ri Jong Chol, who was released by Malaysian authorities on Friday due to insufficient evidence and deported, spoke to reporters outside the North Korean embassy in Beijing, the Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday.
Malaysian authorities attempted to make him admit his involvement in Kim’s murder using “fabricated evidence” and threats to kill his family members, Ri said.
North Korean national Ri Jong Chol under police watch as he is prepared for return to his home country. The North Korean questioned in connection with the killing of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has accused the Malaysian government of arresting him without evidence and trying to make him confess. Chris Jung via ZUMA Wire Photo: Chris Jung/dpa
Ri, who reportedly worked at an IT department in Kuala Lumpur, was detained by Malaysian police on February 17. Police did not say why they had arrested him.
Police are still searching for seven North Koreans believed to be linked to the killing, including a diplomat at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
On Wednesday, two women – one from Indonesia and one from Vietnam – were charged with murder for allegedly poisoning Kim by rubbing VX nerve agent on his face at Kuala Lumpur’s international airport. He died 15-20 minutes later.
-dpa
