Kim Jong-nam death: Two women charged with murder
Two women accused of killing Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korea's leader, have been charged with his murder.
The women, Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from Indonesia, allegedly smeared deadly VX nerve agent on Mr Kim's face in Kuala Lumpur airport on 13 February.
They appeared in court near Malaysia's capital, protected by special forces.
They could face the death penalty if convicted of murder.
No plea was recorded in the magistrates' court as only higher courts have jurisdiction over murder cases. But after the charge was read out, Doan Thi Huong said "I understand but I am not guilty," in English.
It is widely believed that North Korea was responsible for the attack, which it fiercely denies. Kim Jong-nam, was openly critical of the North Korean regime.
They will appear again on 13 April, when prosecutors will apply for them to be tried jointly in a higher court. The charges were read first against Ms Aisyah, then against Ms Huong, both of whom were in handcuffs.
Siti Aisyah's lawyer Gooi Soon Seng asked the court to issue an order banning the police and potential witnesses from making statements that might endanger his client's right to a fair trial.
Both women have previously said they were paid to take part in what they thought was a TV prank.
Source: bbc.com
