SHAARIIBUU Setev, the father of murdered Mongolian interpreter Altantuya Shaariibuu, told the High Court today that his daughter branded the individual named Razak whom she met in Malaysia 12 years ago as a “big man”.

Shaariibuu also told the court that Razak was Altantuya’s lover.

“She told me that this man named Razak was a ‘big man’ in Malaysia. She then said that Razak was her lover,” the retired professor told the court.

The 69-year-old Shaariibuu later said that he discovered a paid flight ticket for her daughter in her handbag as well as a jewellery receipt amounting to RM11,300 from her purse.

He said there was also a letter signed by Altantuya that stated she had received US$18,000 (RM74,000) from a man named Abdul Razak Baginda on March 2, 2006.

“I found a paid flight ticket in her bag, jewellery receipt and a letter signed by my daughter stating that she had received US$18,000 from a man named Abdul Razak Baginda,” he said.

Asked on her educational background and her employment prior to her death, Shaariibuu said her daughter was fluent in Russian and French and obtained a degree in foreign language studies from a Mongolian university.

Shaariibuu said his daughter was a freelance interpreter before she was murdered in Malaysia.

Shaariibuu is testifying in the hearing of the RM100 million suit that he filed against the Malaysian government over the murder of Altantuya. The suit seeking damages and dependency claims was filed in 2007.

The hearing continues on Monday.

In the statement of claim, the family said Altantuya’s death had caused them mental shock and psychological trauma, entitling them to be compensated with exemplary and aggravated damages.

Razak was charged with abetting Azilah and Sirul Azhar in the murder of Altantuya, 28, in 2006, but was acquitted by the Shah Alam High Court in October 2008 without calling for his defence, while Azilah and Sirul Azhar were convicted of the offence in 2009.

On August 23, 2013, the Court of Appeal allowed Azilah and Sirul Azhar’s appeal and acquitted them of the charge.

However, on January 13, 2015, the Federal Court allowed the prosecution’s appeal and set aside the Court of Appeal’s decision. It found Sirul Azhar and Azilah guilty and sentenced them to death by hanging. – January 25, 2019.