VIETNAMESE Doan Thi Huong was in a state of panic after smearing chemicals on Kim Jong-nam, who later died of VX poisoning on February 13, an investigating officer testified today. 

Azirul Nizam Che Wan Aziz told the Shah Alam High Court today that footage showed the accused, 28, looking “panicked” after smearing Kim.

“She looked like she wanted to leave as fast as possible, from my observations,” said Azirul, who presented 23 DVDs of closed-circuit television footage today.

“She looked like she was panicking… like she knew what was going on,” Azirul said when cross-examined by deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin.

Azirul also said that Doan behaved in an “aggressive” manner when she smeared something on Kim’s face.

Lead counsel for Doan, Hisham Teh Poh Teik objected to Azirul’s comments.

“He can only testify to what she was doing but he cannot offer an opinion as to what she’s thinking,” he told judge Azmi Ariffin, who overruled the objection.

Doan was present in the courtroom today, along with second murder accused Siti Aisyah. Both women wore baju kurung and appeared calm throughout the proceeding.

Azirul showed footage of a practice run at the airport, in which Doan smeared something on an unidentified man’s face two days before Kim’s death. Grainy footage showed the man wiping off some material from the face.

Kim was smeared with chemicals on level 2 of klia2, near the Bibik Heritage restaurant, Azirul testified. By observing the CCTV footage, Azirul said Doan walked quickly or ran to the toilet on level 3, some 80m to 100m away.

“Her hands were raised, palms upwards sometimes. She was careful not to touch anything else as though she wants to prevent her palms from touching her body or clothes,” Azirul said. 

Doan entered the toilet at 9.02am before emerging at 9.03am.

“She was in there just over a minute. Her hands went back to normal compared with just before she entered the toilet. 

“She seemed more relaxed and her hands were down. Her movement, however, was still quick. She was walking quickly.”

Azirul testified that Doan headed to level 1, where the transport hub was located. 

“She was looking more relaxed and she used a mobile phone,” said Azirul, adding that Doan exited the main doors and waited at the taxi stand. 

Siti Aisyah was later seen in the CCTV footage in the transport hub. The time recorded was 9.23am.

Asked how Siti Aisyah appeared, Azirul said: “I saw (Siti) walking quickly to the meeting point and then she got into a taxi.

“Dia kelihatan sedikit cemas (she was panicking a bit). She looked like she was in a rush,” Azirul said.

CCTV footage showed Siti Aisyah wearing a sleeveless grey shirt, blue jeans with a sling bag and a black and white scarf around the shoulder and chest. Doan was wearing a white long-sleeved jumper printed with “LOL” on the front. 

Footage of a meeting between Siti Aisyah and an unidentified man wearing a black hat with spectacles was also shown. The meeting took place at 8.14am at Bibik Heritage.

“They appeared comfortable and relaxed and were chit-chatting,” Azirul said.

Footage showed Siti Aisyah flicking her hair several times before the man got up and returning with drinks. 

“The man who wore the hat then appeared to be handing over a (taxi) ticket to Siti,” Azirul added. 

Siti Aisyah’s chief counsel Gooi Soon Seng objected to Azirul’s testimony, saying he is giving testimony on material that has yet to be entered as evidence. 

“He is just testifying on what he saw on the DVD. This is putting the horse before the cart. The content of the DVD has not been proven to be admissible as evidence.”

Shaharuddin later asked what Azirul’s conclusion was after watching the DVD footage to which he replied, “I find that both suspects clearly knew…” before being interrupted by Hisham.

“This is his opinion. It is for the court to find,” Hisham objected, which was sustained. 

Azirul later testified that he has watched prank shows, such as Just for Laughs and Bang, Bang, Boom. 

“Pranks are done with a film crew and actors. The target is a random person and after the prank is done, the actors reveal themselves and the hidden cameras are pointed out.”

Hisham objected: “There’s no evidence that (Azirul) is a prank master. How can he talk about (film) crews and all that? He’s just a police officer.”

The objection was over-ruled.

Shaharuddin then asked: “Based on what you watched, do you consider this to be a prank?”

The defence lawyers objected to the question, which was sustained by Azmi.

The prosecution team is expected to call seven more witnesses. – October 11, 2017.