Đoàn Thị Hương (C) leaves the court on Monday. Photo courtesy VNA Photo
KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Malaysian judge has sentenced a Vietnamese woman to more than three years in prison after she pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in the killing of the North Korean leader’s estranged half brother.
Judge Azmi Ariffin of the Shah Alam High Court said, “It is my view that the length of imprisonment would serve the interest of justice.” He told Doan Thi Huong she was “very very lucky” and he wished her “all the best.”
Huong stood up in the dock and through her translator, thanked the judge, prosecutors and the Malaysian and Vietnamese governments. She told reporters before leaving the courtroom she was happy and hopes to be a singer and actress when she returns to Vietnam.
Huong’s lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said she is expected to be freed by the first week of May, after one third reduction for good behavior.
She is the lone suspect in custody in Kim Jong Nam’s death from VX nerve agent in 2017.
Doan Thi Huong pleaded guilty to a charge of causing hurt by a dangerous weapon, which carries a maximum 10 years in jail. She previously was charged with murder, which carries the death penalty.
Kim Jong Nam was killed with VX nerve agent at the Kuala Lumpur airport in 2017. — NNN-AGENCIES
