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| Kim Jong-nam death: North Korean says arrest was 'conspiracy' | Kim Jong-nam death: North Korean says arrest was 'conspiracy' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The North Korean suspect questioned in connection with the death of Kim Jong-nam has said he was the victim of a conspiracy by the Malaysian authorities. | The North Korean suspect questioned in connection with the death of Kim Jong-nam has said he was the victim of a conspiracy by the Malaysian authorities. |
| Ri Jong Chol said his detention was a "plot" to "damage the honour of the republic", Reuters news agency reports. | Ri Jong Chol said his detention was a "plot" to "damage the honour of the republic", Reuters news agency reports. |
| He made the comments outside the North Korea embassy in Beijing after he was deported from Malaysia on Friday. | He made the comments outside the North Korea embassy in Beijing after he was deported from Malaysia on Friday. |
| Ri Jong Chol was released from police custody due to insufficient evidence. | Ri Jong Chol was released from police custody due to insufficient evidence. |
| Speaking to reporters early on Saturday, he accused Malaysian investigators of using coercion in an attempt to extract a confession. | |
| "If I just accept everything, they will make arrangements for a good life in Malaysia," Ri Jong Chol said, adding: "This is when I realised that it was a trap. It was a trap to bring down the reputation of my country." | |
| When questioned about reports of a car discovered near the airport said to be registered in his name, he said: "It was in my car garage. Malaysian police accepted this too." | |
| Ri Jong Chol admitted to investigators that he was an expert in chemistry, but said that he worked in Malaysia "importing ingredients needed for soap". | |
| Malaysian authorities are continuing their investigation into the death of Mr Kim, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who was killed at an airport in the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur nearly three weeks ago. | Malaysian authorities are continuing their investigation into the death of Mr Kim, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who was killed at an airport in the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur nearly three weeks ago. |
| Ri Jong Chol, who said he was not at the airport on the day of the incident, was the only North Korean held in connection with the death. | Ri Jong Chol, who said he was not at the airport on the day of the incident, was the only North Korean held in connection with the death. |
| Malaysia is seeking to question several North Koreans, including an embassy official. | Malaysia is seeking to question several North Koreans, including an embassy official. |
| Read more | Read more |
| Two women, Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from Indonesia, were charged on Thursday with killing Mr Kim by smearing his face with VX, a banned chemical weapon. | Two women, Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from Indonesia, were charged on Thursday with killing Mr Kim by smearing his face with VX, a banned chemical weapon. |
| Both women said they thought they were taking part in a TV prank. They have yet to make a formal plea in their case. | Both women said they thought they were taking part in a TV prank. They have yet to make a formal plea in their case. |
| Malaysia, which has condemned the use of the powerful nerve agent in the 13 February attack, is also investigating a firm thought to be used by North Korea to evade sanctions on military exports. | Malaysia, which has condemned the use of the powerful nerve agent in the 13 February attack, is also investigating a firm thought to be used by North Korea to evade sanctions on military exports. |
| Ri Jong Chol had lived in Malaysia for three years but, according to Reuters, his work permit expired on 6 February. | Ri Jong Chol had lived in Malaysia for three years but, according to Reuters, his work permit expired on 6 February. |
| Immigration director-general Mustafar Ali said Ri Jong Chol, who was escorted out of Malaysia by two North Korean embassy officials, was blacklisted from re-entering the country. | Immigration director-general Mustafar Ali said Ri Jong Chol, who was escorted out of Malaysia by two North Korean embassy officials, was blacklisted from re-entering the country. |
| Meanwhile, the government said it had launched an investigation into a company called Glocom, which has been operating in Malaysia for several years. | Meanwhile, the government said it had launched an investigation into a company called Glocom, which has been operating in Malaysia for several years. |
| According to a confidential United Nations report, Glocom is run by North Korea's top intelligence agency to sell military communications equipment, in violation of UN sanctions. | According to a confidential United Nations report, Glocom is run by North Korea's top intelligence agency to sell military communications equipment, in violation of UN sanctions. |
| Police said on Friday that an arrest warrant had been issued for 37-year-old Kim Uk-il, who works for North Korean national airline Air Koryo. He is believed to be still in Malaysia. | Police said on Friday that an arrest warrant had been issued for 37-year-old Kim Uk-il, who works for North Korean national airline Air Koryo. He is believed to be still in Malaysia. |
| Reuters news agency reported that security checks on North Koreans had been stepped up at all border crossings to prevent them from leaving. | Reuters news agency reported that security checks on North Koreans had been stepped up at all border crossings to prevent them from leaving. |
| On Thursday, Malaysia announced it was cancelling visa-free travel for visiting North Koreans, citing security reasons. | On Thursday, Malaysia announced it was cancelling visa-free travel for visiting North Koreans, citing security reasons. |
| It has not directly blamed North Korea for the attack, but there is widespread suspicion Pyongyang was responsible. | It has not directly blamed North Korea for the attack, but there is widespread suspicion Pyongyang was responsible. |
| North Korea has strongly rejected the allegations. It also rejected the findings of the post-mortem examination, having objected to it being carried out at all, and has demanded the body be handed over to them. | North Korea has strongly rejected the allegations. It also rejected the findings of the post-mortem examination, having objected to it being carried out at all, and has demanded the body be handed over to them. |
| It has not yet confirmed that the body is that of Kim Jong-nam, acknowledging him only as a North Korean citizen. Mr Kim was travelling using a passport under a different name. | It has not yet confirmed that the body is that of Kim Jong-nam, acknowledging him only as a North Korean citizen. Mr Kim was travelling using a passport under a different name. |