Azilah seeks royal pardon from Selangor Sultan for Altantuya murder conviction

Former Special Action Force officer Azilah Hadri who was convicted for the murder of Mongolian model Altantunya Shaariibuu is seeking a royal pardon from the Sultan of Selangor.

His lawyer Datuk Hazman Ahmad said when contacted that he submitted the petition for the royal pardon to the sultan's confidential secretary today.

Asked on how long it would take to know the outcome, he said the decision rests with the sultan but that he would be called to represent Azilah when the petition is heard.

He said he received instructions to file the petition from his client who is currently in custody at Kajang Prison.

He said under the law, offenders had the right to seek royal pardon.

According to Hazman, five or six members of a panel including the Sultan of Selangor, the Attorney General or his representative, and others appointed by the ruler would conduct a hearing on the petition.

On Jan 13 last year, the Federal Court dismissed the Court of Appeal's decision to acquit Azilah and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar of Altantuya's murder and affirmed the Shah Alam High Court's judgement to find them guilty.

The duo were sentenced to death for the offence.

Sirul Azhar was not present for the verdict as he had absconded to Australia.

However, he was detained a week later on Jan 20 by Australian immigration authorities following a Red Notice alert issued by Interpol. He is currently being detained at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney.