Malaysia to seek Australian stand on Sirul Azhar's extradition

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today he would seek Australia's stand on extraditing former Malaysian policeman Sirul Azhar Umar, who faces the death sentence for the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu in Malaysia.
He said he would discuss the matter at a meeting with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop. Bishop is scheduled for a three-day visit to Malaysia beginning tomorrow.
"I will discuss several matters at the meeting, not specifically the Sirul Azhar issue, but I want to seek Australia's stand on the matter," said Dr Mahathir.
In 2009, Sirul Azhar and chief inspector Azilah Hadri were sentenced to death after being found guilty of the murder of Altantuya in 2006. The Court of Appeal overturned the judgement but the Federal Court reinstated it.
Between the overturning of the judgement and its reinstatement, Sirul Azhar fled to Australia, where he was eventually detained by the Australian immigration authorities. — Bernama