Tuesday August 26, 2008 MYT 7:19:39 PM

Altantuya trial: 'Enough evidence'

By CECIL FUNG

SHAH ALAM: There is enough evidence to show that Altantuya Shaariibuu had been taken by C/Insp Azilah Hadri and Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar to Puncak Alam where they murdered her, a High Court heard.

Lead prosecutor DPP Tun Abd Majid Tun Hamzah, who began his submissions at the end of the prosecution’s case on Tuesday, argued that this was based on the proximity of time and location, C/Insp Azilah’s communications with Kpl Sirul Azhar and political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, as well as various other items.

The items include the Touch ‘n' Go card and Smart TAG device found in Kpl Sirul Azhar’s jeep, the deceased’s bloodstain in the vehicle, and her watch and jewellery found at his flat.

“There is sufficient circumstantial evidence to prove common intention,” the prosecutor submitted.

Elaborating, DPP Tun Abd Majid noted that a 40-second call made by C/Insp Azilah to Abdul Razak at 9.41pm on Oct 19, 2006 had been captured by the Jalan Duta toll transmission tower.

In addition, Kpl Sirul Azhar’s Touch ‘n' Go transaction that night showed that he exited the Kota Damansara toll plaza at 9.57pm after having entered the highway at the Jalan Duta toll plaza.

“In all probability, it is submitted that C/Insp Azilah was with Kpl Sirul Azhar and the deceased,” he said.

DPP Tun Abd Majid said the police did not have prior knowledge of the crime scene.

Based on the testimony of police witnesses, the prosecutor said that the only thing they knew when they brought the two UTK operatives to locate the crime scene was the place in general.

“A distinction must be made as far as the scene is concerned. It is not a premises where one can zero in having known the address earlier and a search can be done,” he said.

Earlier, DPP Tun Abd Majid highlighted evidence against C/Insp Azilah, including his surprise when asked if he was from the UTK when he went to meet Abdul Razak at his office.

“Was no one supposed to know that C/Insp Azilah was from the UTK?” he said, pointing out that the accused not only did not come in a police car when he picked up Altantuya from Abdul Razak’s house on Oct 19, but he was also not in uniform.

There was also no report of arrest made regarding the deceased’s detention by C/Insp Azilah.

The hearing continues on Wednesday.