KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 16): Ex-elite special action force (UTK) police officer Azilah Hadri and now death row prisoner has alleged that the order for him to kill Altantuya Shaariibuu (pictured) came from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, reported Malaysiakini.

In an application filed by Azilah seeking the Federal Court to review the decision in the conviction and passing of the death sentence on him, he claimed that he was just following the order to “shoot to kill”.

The news portal also reported that he is also wants “a retrial in order to provide full evidence on the clandestine operation in open court so that ‘justice will be served’”. The court has fixed Dec 17 for case management.

Malaysiakini also “sighted” a statutory declaration (SD) dated Oct 17, 2019 where Azilah revealed that Najib ordered him to “arrest and destroy” Altantuya. Azilah was also told by the former PM (then deputy PM) that the Mongolian woman was a “foreign spy”.

"I asked the DPM what he meant by arrest and destroy the foreign spy, he responded: 'Shoot to kill', and indicating it with a 'slit the throat' gesture.

"When asked the purpose of destroying the foreign spy with explosives, the DPM replied: 'Dispose the foreign spy's body with an explosive device to remove the traces and the explosives can be obtained from the UTK store (armoury)’,” Azilah said.

The SD was filed together with the affidavit as a supporting document, reported the news portal.

"My purpose for disclosing the evidence and material facts (of this case) is not only because I feel I have been betrayed by interested parties but also to express the truth on what happened in the murder of Altantuya.

"I also hope that my colleagues in the UTK and the police force will be careful in executing orders so that the issue of betrayal and being made a scapegoat will not recur,” Azilah added.

Azilah also stated in the SD that Razak Baginda “repeated” to him that Altantuya was a foreign spy.

Azilah also said he was “instructed, informed and believed” that the order for the covert operation came straight from Najib via the aide-de-camp at that time DSP Musa Safri, Malaysiakini reported Azilah stating in his affidavit .

"After the operation was carried out, I was given an assurance by Musa that any matters arising would be sorted out by the DPM as long as I did not involve his [Najib's] good name.

"At all material times, I believed that I am responsible for keeping secret and confidential information in relation to the operation.

"I was confident that I will be assisted by the DPM by all means, including that I would not be charged in court and will be protected from any issues arising from the operation," Azilah stated in his affidavit.

The news portal also reported that Azilah stated in his affidavit that the orders he received from the then DPM and Musa were verbal and not in writing, he carried out his duty in good faith as it involved national security, and he believed the then ruling Barisan Nasional coalition was in a strong position and any attempt to disobey the orders of the DPM would tarnish his name and cause detriment to himself.

The elite policeman also sought forgiveness over his actions. "I humbly seek forgiveness from Altantuya's family on what happened as I had no choice at the time other than to follow orders.”

On Aug 23, 2013, the Court of Appeal overturned the Shah Alam High Court's decision to convict former UTK officers Azilah and Sirul Azhar Umar.

In 2015, however, the Federal Court convicted the two for murdering Altantuyaa.

Justice Suriyadi Halim Omar ruled that the prosecution had proven its case against the two accused beyond reasonable doubt.

Back in 2009, Azhar and Sirul were convicted and sentenced to death by the Shah Alam High Court for killing Altantuyaa at Mukim Bukit Raja, Klang, between 10 pm on Oct 19, 2006, and 1am on Oct 20, 2006.

Abdul Razak Baginda, who was jointly charged with them, was acquitted by the High Court on Oct 31, 2008.

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