Defence in Kim murder case fears 'trial by ambush'

Handcuffed and facing the judge, two young women accused of poisoning Kim Jong Nam appeared in court on Thursday as their lawyers said Malaysian police still have not handed over security camera footage and documents crucial to the defence.

Siti Aisyah, from Indonesia, and Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam are the only suspects in custody in the February 13 killing of Kim, the estranged half brother of North Korea's ruler. Four North Korean suspects fled the country the day of the murder, police say.

South Korean Lawmakers Say North Korean Ruler Kim Jong Un's Brother Pleaded For His Life 5 Years Ago. "The accused person should not be denied her fundamental right to a fair trial," said Aisyah's attorney, Gooi Soon Seng. He said he has been waiting for police to provide CCTV footage and statements from three North Korean men who were questioned and released. "Neither side may seek unfair advantage by concealing weapons behind its back. There should be no trial by ambush," Gooi said. The judge postponed the hearing until May 30. The women are accused of smearing Kim's face with banned VX nerve agent at a crowded airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur. But they say they were duped into thinking they were playing a harmless prank for a hidden-camera show.

The women face the death penalty if convicted. Gooi said he fears the women will become scapegoats because all the other people believed to have knowledge of the case have left the country.

The four North Koreans who flew out of Malaysia the day of the murder are believed to be back in Pyongyang. And another three who stayed inside their country's embassy in Kuala Lumpur to avoid questioning by police were allowed to fly home late last month after Malaysia struck a surprise deal with Pyongyang to ease tensions.