Judge orders women to begin their defense in Kim Jong Nam's killing

SHAH ALAM, Malaysia - Two women on trial for the brazen assassination of the North Korean leader's half brother were told Thursday to make their defense after the judge found evidence of a "well-planned conspiracy," extending their murder trial until next year.

Indonesia's Siti Aisyah and Vietnam's Doan Thi Huong are accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nam's face in an airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 13, 2017.

High Court Judge Azmi Ariffin said there was inadequate proof to show it was a political assassination. He said he wasn't persuaded by defense arguments that the women thought they were taking part in a prank for a hidden-camera show. But enough evidence had been presented in the six-month trial to infer the women and four North Korean suspects at large had meticulously engaged in a "well-planned conspiracy" to kill Kim "systemically," he said.

"I must therefore call upon them to enter their defense," the judge said after reading his ruling for more than two hours.

Indonesian Ambassador Rusdi Kirana told reporters outside the court that he was shocked by the decision, but his government will abide by it.

In Huong's village in Vietnam, her family said they were sad to hear she was not acquitted. Her father, Doan Van Thanh, said he could not sleep last night, anxious to hear the ruling.

"I had hoped the court would announce that she is innocent, but now we are really worried for her," he said. Huong's brother, Doan Van Binh, said the family hopes she will receive a fair trial.

Aisyah, 25, and Huong, 29, told the court they would testify under oath in their defense. Aisyah, who will be the first to take the stand when the trial resumes Nov. 1, later cried and was consoled by her lawyers and Indonesian officials. Huong was calm. The judge set hearing dates that extend until next February.

The women are accused of colluding with four North Korean suspects who fled the country the same morning Kim was killed. Aisyah and Huong are the only suspects in custody and face the death penalty if convicted.