PUTRAJAYA:

In a surprising turn of events, Dr. Shaariibuu Setev, the father of the slain Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, has expressed his support for former police commando Azilah Hadri's plea to have his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment. This shocking revelation came during a court hearing on October 10, where Azilah's lawyer, J. Kuldeep Kumar, unveiled parts of a heartfelt letter from Dr. Setev that emphasized the “sanctity of life.”

Kuldeep Kumar laid bare the emotional impact of the victim's family on the proceedings, stating, "As far as the impact on the victim's family, we have the letter from the victim's father. He also asked us to mitigate the death sentence to life imprisonment."

This unprecedented plea was made in front of a three-judge panel that included Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and other esteemed judges, highlighting the complex emotions surrounding this high-profile case.

Lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo, representing Altantuya's family, confirmed her possession of the original letter and stated that there was no dispute regarding its authenticity, as acknowledged by the Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar.

Adding depth to Azilah's character, Kuldeep Kumar narrated his client's background, revealing that Azilah came from a challenging environment in Sarikei, Sarawak. Despite his hardships, he succeeded in becoming a well-respected police officer, earning accolades for his role in solving critical criminal cases, including armed robbery and drug trafficking.

In an attempt to humanize Azilah, Kumar argued that there was no substantial evidence linking him to being a serial killer, nor was there any indication that the crime against Altantuya stemmed from sexual motivations. “He did not benefit monetarily from the murder, and the prosecution was unable to demonstrate any clear motive,” Kumar asserted.

As the courtroom drama unfolds, many are left wondering: Could this unprecedented support from the victim's father change the course of justice in this notorious case? The implications of Dr. Setev's letter are profound, raising questions about forgiveness, justice, and the complexities of human emotions surrounding violent crime.

Stay tuned as we follow the latest developments in this gripping saga that has captivated the nation and the world!