A North Korean man detained over the investigation into the murder of Kim Jong-nam was taken out of the Sepang police headquarters this morning amid tight security.

Ri Jong-chol, 47, wearing a bullet-proof vest, is expected to be deported.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali yesterday said Ri would be released and deported due to insufficient evidence to charge him.

He had been in remand since Feb 18 in connection with the murder of Jong-nam, who had a passport bearing the name Kim Chol. Jong-nam is the elder half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The remand order expires today.

He was seen leaving the Sepang police headquarters at 8.50am in a police vehicle accompanied by five other vehicles, including a four-wheel drive vehicle.

The route in front of the Sepang police headquarters was blocked to traffic for about 10 minutes before the convoy carrying Ri exited.

More than 50 local and international media representatives gathered in front of the entrance to the Sepang police headquarters as early as 5am after news on the release and deportation of Jong-chol was reported.

The increased presence of media practitioners saw police personnel forming a line in front of the premises gate at 8am to prevent any untoward incident and ensure smooth traffic flow.

Jong-nam, was at the KL International Airport 2 (KLIA2) at 8am on Feb 13 to board a flight to Macau when an hour later, two women suddenly appeared before him and wiped his face with their hands which contained a poisonous liquid. 

Jong-nam, who had come to Malaysia on Feb 6, died on the way to Putrajaya Hospital.

Siti Aisyah, 25, an Indonesian and Doan Thi Huong, 28, a Vietnamese were charged with the murder of Jong-nam on Wednesday.

- Bernama