Kim Jong Nam murder: Ri Jong Chol to be deported tonight - Mustafar

A North Korean man held to assist in the investigation into the murder of a fellow compatriot in Malaysia last month is to be deported today.

Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said the police handed Ri Jong Chol, 47, to the Immigration Department at 9.30am today for deportation as decided by the Attorney-General's Chambers.

"He (Jong Chol) is scheduled to be deported to his home country today," Mustafar said in a statement.

Ri Jong Chol had earlier completed the expulsion procedures at the Immigration Department, here.

Some two hours later, he was seen driven out from the building at 3:17 pm believed to be taken to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to be deported to his home country.

Jong Chol, 47, was seen driven in one of the six police patrol cars with tight security by the Special Task Force on Organised Crime (STAFOC) team.

Prior to this, Jong Chol arrived at the complex at about 9.15 am from the Sepang District Police Headquarters following the expiration of his remand period since his detention from February 18.

Jong Chol was believed to have gone through the standard procedures for the eviction process to take place.

His wife and son will also be accompanying him in his flight home.

Jong Chol was ordered to leave the country by Mohamed Apandi as there was no solid evidence to charge him in court.

He was also found to hold invalid visa after staying in the country for more than three years.

Jong Chol was remanded to assist in the probe into the killing of Kim Chol or Kim Jong-nam on Feb 13 at the KL International Airport 2.

Jong Nam is the estranged elder half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.