Malaysia to begin trial in Mongolian murder case

SHAH ALAM, Malaysia, June 18 (Reuters) A Malaysian court began hearing arguments today in the trial of a prominent political analyst accused of involvement in the murder of a Mongolian model, after a delay to replace prosecutors.

Abdul Razak Abdullah Baginda, 46, a close aide of Malaysia's deputy prime minister, has been accused of involvement in the murder of 28-year-old Altantuya Shaariibuu, in a case that has triggered a frenzy of speculation about possible government ties.

Shaariibuu was shot in the head twice and her body blown up with plastic explosives in a jungle outside the Malaysian capital last October.

Razak was charged with abetting the murder while two policemen were charged with murder. All three have pleaded not guilty, but all face mandatory death by hanging if convicted.

The trial has been bogged down by one controversy after another.

The trial judge, the prosecution team and at least one defence lawyer have been replaced even before the trial proper begins, prompting condemnation from the country's opposition.

''These manoeuvres ... will regrettably undermine public expectations that this trial will be fully transparent,'' opposition figure and former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim said in a statement last week.

''The world and the Malaysian public want genuine answers in court as to how Altantuya was killed, for what reason and who was responsible for directing her killing?'' he added.

The trial, originally set to begin on June 4, was postponed for two weeks after the government's top lawyer decided to replace the prosecution team because the head of the team was seen playing badminton with trial judge Mohamad Zaki Mohamad Yasin.

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail said he made the eleventh-hour change in order to ensure a free trial and avoid allegations of prejudice that might call into question the whole system of justice administration, state news agency Bernama reported.

REUTERS RN PM1020