Kim Jong Nam 'had nerve agent antidote in bag'
The half-brother of Kim Jong Un carried a dozen vials of atropine, an antidote for poisons such as the VX that killed him.
Friday 1 December 2017 08:00, UK
Kim Jong Nam had a nerve agent antidote in his bag when he was poisoned, a Malaysian court has heard.
The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was murdered at Kuala Lumpur's international airport in February.
Two women, Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, and Doan Thi Huong, a 29-year-old Vietnamese, are accused of conspiring with four North Korean fugitives in the murder.
Prosecutors say they smeared banned chemical weapon VX on the victim's face, but they say they thought they were taking part in a TV prank.
The court heard that Kim Jong Nam had a dozen vials of atropine, an antidote for poisons such as the VX that killed him.
It is unclear why he did not try to use it.
Instead, he stumbled into a clinic at the airport and asked for help.
A doctor who gave evidence in court earlier, said that a nurse had wiped an "odourless water-like" fluid from his face and that his blood pressure had hit a "life-threatening level".
He had then developed a seizure and died on the way to hospital.
A post mortem examination showed VX on his face, in his eyes, blood, urine, on his clothing and bag.
His organs, including his brain, lungs, liver and spleen, were damaged.
North Korea has denied any involvement in the death.
Kim Jong Nam had previously criticised his family's rule of North Korea and lived in exile in Macau.
The trial will now go into recess until 22 January.
When the case resumes, defence lawyers are expected to cross examine the chief police investigator, questioning him about the role of North Korean chemist Ri Jong Chol.
Mr Ri was a key suspect but was released due to lack of evidence and deported.
Prosecutors are expected to conclude their case in March.