In a landmark decision, the Federal Court of Malaysia has granted former police commando Azilah Hadri’s application to replace his death sentence with a 40-year prison term. Azilah, convicted for the 2006 murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, expressed relief upon hearing the court's ruling, according to his lawyer J. Kuldeep Kumar. This decision offers Azilah a potential release date of 2034, contingent on remission for good behavior.
A Glimmer of Hope for Azilah
After years on death row, Azilah’s legal team had applied to reduce his sentence to 30 years, the minimum allowable under Malaysian law for capital punishment alternatives. However, the Federal Court opted for the maximum alternative of 40 years imprisonment. Despite this, the reduction represents a significant reprieve for Azilah, who had faced execution prior to the commutation verdict. Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Kuldeep highlighted Azilah's sense of relief, noting that the decision offers him a light at the end of the tunnel.
Azilah has been incarcerated since November 1, 2006, save for a brief period of freedom between August 2013 and January 2015. His lawyers calculated that with time served and standard remission for good behavior, he could be released in 2034 at the age of 58.
Support from an Unlikely Ally: Altantuya’s Father
In an unexpected move, Altantuya’s father, Shaariibuu Setev, supported Azilah’s appeal for clemency. Through a letter read by Kuldeep in court, Setev urged the commutation of Azilah’s death penalty, citing his personal opposition to capital punishment. Setev's lawyer, Sangeet Kaur Deo, explained that the family believes in the sanctity of life, regardless of the crime committed.
"The 40-year sentence is fair, and the family has accepted the decision. While he is serving time for a crime he committed, they remain opposed to the death penalty," Sangeet stated to the press.
Setev’s advocacy for Azilah also extends to the other convicted former police commando, Sirul Azhar Umar, who fled to Australia after the conviction was reinstated in 2015. While Sirul remains overseas, Setev’s letter expressed a similar desire for his sentence to be reduced, should he apply for a commutation.
Pending Royal Pardon
In addition to the legal proceedings, Azilah has also applied for a royal pardon from the Selangor Sultan, which remains pending. Should this pardon be granted, it could further reduce Azilah’s jail time or lead to an early release. For now, however, his release date hinges on the remission system and his behavior behind bars.
A Complex Case with Lingering Questions
The Altantuya murder case has remained one of Malaysia’s most high-profile crimes, with political overtones and unresolved questions that continue to captivate the nation. While the decision to commute Azilah’s death sentence marks a pivotal moment, it also reflects growing global debates surrounding the death penalty and its morality.
For Azilah, the Federal Court’s decision offers a reprieve from death but leaves him with years yet to serve. For the Shaariibuu family, the court’s ruling affirms their stance on life over execution, offering a semblance of closure in their long quest for justice.
Whether this decision sparks further legal action for Sirul's extradition from Australia or influences broader discussions on Malaysia’s capital punishment laws remains to be seen, but today’s ruling has undeniably added another chapter to this complex and tragic story.
By: Kpost
Information Source: Malaymail
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