Razak Baginda acquitted
UPDATED
SHAH ALAM, Oct 31 —Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda was today acquitted by the High Court here of abetting in the gruesome murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 32, and Corporal Sirul Azha Umar, 37, who are members of the police Special Action Force (UTK), were, however, ordered to enter their defence to the charge of murder.
The prosecution is expected to file an appeal against Razak's acquittal.
Today's decision will certainly send shockwaves and arouse even more controversy because of Razak's ties to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Razak is a close associate of the DPM.
Najib has consistently denied any involvement in the case or that he even knew the victim but he has spent the past two years finding it hard to shrug off the non-stop allegations made against him by his opponents.
High Court judge Datuk Mohamad Zaki Md Yasin said the prosecution had failed to establish a case against Razak. But he ordered the two policemen to enter their defence.
"I am satisfied that there is a prima facie case for the first accused Azilah and for the second accused Sirul.
"For the third accused Abdul Razak Baginda, I found there is no prima facie case. He is therefore acquitted and discharged," ruled Zaki.
On hearing the judge's decision Razak wore a smile so bright it eclipsed the sombre dark suit and five o'clock shadow on his face.
His wife openly wept and his daughter, who sat on the right side of the gallery, heaved her shoulders in great relief. His father looked visibly relaxed after the ruling was made and his mother cried "Alhamdullilah!"
"I just want to go home," Razak told reporters after hugging his family as he tried to leave the court house.
He had arrived earlier in a Black Maria at 8.49am together with the other two accused but he when he left at about 10.30am, it was in a silver Volvo SUV in the company of his wife and daughter.
Razak, 48, had faced the death penalty if he had been convicted of abetting in the killing of Altantuya, with whom he had an eight-month affair.
He has acknowledged having the affair. The prosecution had argued he ordered her killing after she pestered him for money.
Altantuya was allegedly shot before her body was blown up with explosives two years ago.
Azilah and Sirul are jointly charged with murdering Altantuya, 28, at a location in Mukim Bukit Raja, Selangor between 10am on Oct 19, 2006 and 1am the following day.
Razak was charged with abetting them.
The prosecution closed its case against the trio on June 23 after 151 days of testimony from 84 witnesses.
The trial of the two policemen will continue on Nov 10.
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