KUALA LUMPUR: The fate of former police officer Azilah Hadri, who was found guilty of murdering Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006, remains in limbo as the state pardon board has not decided on his death sentence.
While former police officer Sirul Azhar Umar, who was also convicted in 2006, was released from the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, Azilah's fate remains unclear.
The death sentence for Azilah, 47, has not been carried out despite the Federal Court rejecting his appeal to set aside the decision in 2020.
A Malay daily today reported that Azilah is now in Sungai Buloh prison and still serving his sentence as a death row inmate while awaiting the decision from the state pardon board.
The daily reported that Azila was transferred from Kajang Prison to Sungai Buloh Prison in September last year and is the last prisoner on death row at the prison.
In 2009, the Shah Alam High Court imposed the death penalty on police officer Sirul Azhar and chief inspector Azilah Hadri after finding them guilty of murdering Altantuya.
Even if the Appellate court has ruled to free Azilah and Sirul from the charges, the Federal court in 2015 overturned the decision and upheld the death sentence imposed by the High Court.
Sirul Azhar fled to Australia and was later apprehended by Australian immigration, while Azilah has been serving his sentence as a death row inmate since then.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain yesterday confirmed the release of Sirul Azhar from an Australian immigration detention centre.
He disclosed plans to engage with key stakeholders, including the Attorney-General and the courts, to explore the prospect of returning the former Special Action Unit (UTK) member to the country.
"The application for repatriation needs to be referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers because this involves the Malaysian and Australian governments," he said.
Razarudin also highlighted that police officers are poised to visit Sirul Azhar in Australia, given his newfound freedom.
"We have officers there, and we can see because he is free," he added.
The Malaysian government previously demanded the return of the fugitive, yet the request was declined as Australia's law forbids repatriating suspects who face the death penalty in their home country.
As Malaysia has abolished the mandatory death penalty, reviews for those sentenced to death are now under the jurisdiction of the Federal Court.