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Women accused of killing Kim Jong-nam plead not guilty (Lead)

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Kuala Lumpur, Oct 2 (IANS) Two women charged with the murder of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s estranged half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, pleaded not guilty in a Malaysian court on Monday, the media reported.

The two defendants, 25-year-old Siti Aisya from Indonesia, and 29-year-old Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam, are the only suspects detained in connection with the assault and poisoning of Kim Jong-nam with the powerful VX nerve agent at the Kuala Lumpur airport on February 13, reports Efe news.

They could face the death penalty if found guilty.

The two women, handcuffed and wearing bullet-proof jackets, were escorted on Monday morning in a police convoy to the court in Shah Alam, about 25 km southwest of Kuala Lumpur.

The authorities have blocked media access to the courtroom for security reasons.

Airport security camera footage purportedly showed the two women approaching Kim in the departures hall, before smearing his face with the VX nerve agent, considered a weapon of mass destruction by the UN.

The women, who said they were tricked into playing a prank for a TV programme, were detained within two days of the incident and were charged with murder on March 1.

Kim Jong-nam, born in 1971, was the son of late North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il and actor Song Hye-rim.

He was considered the favourite to replace his father until he fell out of favour in 2001 after being detained with a Dominican passport in Japan.

Kim Jong-nam had spent the past few years in self-imposed exile in China, drawing international attention in 2012 for his criticism of the regime in Pyongyang and its succession system.

Defence counsel Hisyam Abdullah, who represents Doan, told CNN the lawyer who was appointed by North Korea to watch the brief has been instructed by their embassy to disengage himself from observing proceedings.

A second lawyer for the Vietnamese woman, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, said that he expects the prosecution case to last until November, while the defence will start in the new year.

“Doan looks forward to the trial where her innocence will be established,” the lawyer told CNN.

North Korea has repeatedly and vehemently denied any involvement in the assassination.

The poison from the VX nerve agent kills by sending the nerve system into overdrive causing convulsions, paralysis and eventually death due to respiratory failure.

It was banned under the 1993 chemical weapons convention.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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