&nbsp;Malaysia's top court set aside the death penalty on Thursday for a former policeman convicted of the murder of a Mongolian woman, sentencing him instead to 40 years in jail, his lawyer said.

The change comes after Malaysia abolished the mandatory death penalty last year, allowing those on death row to seek review of their sentences.

Azilah Hadri had been handed the death penalty after being found guilty of the 2006 murder of 28-year-old Altantuya Shaariibuu, a model and interpreter to a former associate of former Prime Minister Najib Razak.

A three-member panel of Malaysia's Federal Court unanimously commuted Azilah's death sentence to 40 years in jail, effective from his arrest in November 2006, and 12 strokes of the cane, his lawyer, Athari Bahardin, said.

Shaariibuu Setev, the victim's father, had backed the policeman's request for a commuted death sentence, citing a need to respect the sanctity of life in a letter to the court that was seen by Reuters.

Sangeet Kaur Deo, a lawyer for Altantuya's family, confirmed the authenticity of the letter.&nbsp;

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Altantuya was killed and her body blown up with military-grade explosives in a forest on the outskirts of Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur in 2006, court records show, but the question of who ordered the slaying remains unanswered.

Civil society groups have said her murder was linked to her role as an interpreter in Malaysia’s purchase of two French submarines in 2002.

In a 2019 court filing, Azilah had accused ex-premier Najib, who was Malaysia's defence minister at the time of the murder, of ordering the killing.

Najib, now serving a six-year jail term for corruption, has repeatedly denied allegations linking him to Shaariibuu or graft in the submarine purchases.

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Azilah was convicted in 2015 along with another police officer, Sirul Azhar Umar, who fled Malaysia shortly before the verdict was handed down.

Both were serving on Najib's security detail at the time of the murder.

Sirul, arrested on an Interpol notice, was held in an Australian immigration detention centre for nearly nine years before his release in November 2023.

Australian law forbids the deportation of people to places where they face the death penalty.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Malaysia's top court set aside the death penalty on Thursday for a former policeman convicted of the murder of a Mongolian woman, sentencing him instead to 40 years in jail, his lawyer said.

Malaysia's top court set aside the death penalty on Thursday for a former policeman convicted of the murder of a Mongolian woman, sentencing him instead to 40 years in jail, his lawyer said. The change comes after Malaysia abolished the mandatory death penalty last year, allowing those on death row to seek review of their sentences. Azilah Hadri had been handed the death penalty after being found guilty of the 2006 murder of 28-year-old Altantuya Shaariibuu, a model and interpreter to a former associate of former Prime Minister Najib Razak. A three-member panel of Malaysia's Federal Court unanimously commuted Azilah's death sentence to 40 years in jail, effective from his arrest in November 2006, and 12 strokes of the cane, his lawyer, Athari Bahardin, said. Shaariibuu Setev, the victim's father, had backed the policeman's request for a commuted death sentence, citing a need to respect the sanctity of life in a letter to the court that was seen by Reuters. Sangeet Kaur Deo, a lawyer for Altantuya's family, confirmed the authenticity of the letter. Also read | Senior Hezbollah official eludes Israeli assassination attempt in Beirut Altantuya was killed and her body blown up with military-grade explosives in a forest on the outskirts of Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur in 2006, court records show, but the question of who ordered the slaying remains unanswered. Civil society groups have said her murder was linked to her role as an interpreter in Malaysia’s purchase of two French submarines in 2002. In a 2019 court filing, Azilah had accused ex-premier Najib, who was Malaysia's defence minister at the time of the murder, of ordering the killing. Najib, now serving a six-year jail term for corruption, has repeatedly denied allegations linking him to Shaariibuu or graft in the submarine purchases. Also read | Pakistan: 20 dead as armed men storm private coal mine in Balochistan Azilah was convicted in 2015 along with another police officer, Sirul Azhar Umar, who fled Malaysia shortly before the verdict was handed down. Both were serving on Najib's security detail at the time of the murder. Sirul, arrested on an Interpol notice, was held in an Australian immigration detention centre for nearly nine years before his release in November 2023. Australian law forbids the deportation of people to places where they face the death penalty. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Malaysian court commutes death penalty of ex-policeman involved in Mongolian model's murder

Mongolia's prime minister resigned Thursday following protests and public outrage over the treatment of a coronavirus patient and her newborn baby.

Landlocked Mongolia reported just a handful of Covid-19 cases last year after imposing strict border controls, but in November its first domestic transmissions caused a new wave of lockdowns and restrictions.

Anger mounted this week after TV footage showed a woman who appeared to have recently given birth being moved to an infectious disease centre wearing only hospital pyjamas and plastic slippers, despite temperatures dipping to minus 25 degrees Celsius.

After protests outside government buildings on Wednesday, the Mongolian politician apologised on behalf of the government and said he would stand down immediately.

"Unfortunately, we made mistake during relocating that mother," admitted Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhnaa Thursday. "It was heartbreaking to see how she was treated."

"As a prime minister, I must take the responsibility."

The video of the woman in an ambulance clutching her baby prompted fierce criticism, particularly as Mongolian tradition dictates new mothers should avoid the cold weather and cold food for the first month after birth.

On Wednesday around 5,000 mostly young protesters gathered in a square opposite government buildings in the capital Ulaanbaatar, some carrying wrapped up bundles to represent babies.

Ulziibayar Purevsuren, 30, held a banner reading "resign" and said she was there to complain about "incompetent doctors".

The vice prime minister -- also head of the national emergency commission handling the pandemic -- had already resigned on Wednesday evening, followed by the minister of health.

The head of the hospital and disease centre in the middle of the row also resigned.

Political instability has been a constant problem for the young Central Asian democracy, which passed its first constitution in 1992 after decades of Communist rule.

The outgoing prime minister had already survived a parliament vote to sack him in 2018 over a corruption scandal that implicated high-level politicians in a state fund embezzlement scheme -- a year after his predecessor was sacked over allegations of corruption.

As the prime minister stands down, President Battulga Khaltmaa remains in place as head of state.

But Khurelsukh has previously said he intends to stand for president in upcoming elections this year, and in his resignation speech he said he had "lost faith" in Battulga as head of state.

- 'Voices heard' -

This week's row is the latest clash over the government's handling of the Covid-19 outbreak as anger simmers over Mongolian nationals stuck overseas after the country closed its borders.

"I don't think Mongolians will die of Covid-19, instead they will die of poverty and hunger," said 20-year-old student Odbayar Lkhagvadorj.

"We are here to make our voice heard," said Batzul Batenkh, a 21-year-old mining worker.

Restrictions on movement between provinces have been imposed since November, leaving about 80,000 people stranded in the capital.

Many have complained of waiting weeks for virus tests to allow them to return to their homes or of having to sleep in their cars with hotels closed due to lockdowns.&nbsp;

Officials were forced to apologise when a 58-year-old woman died in December after being refused entry to a hospital because she did not have a negative Covid-19 test result.

Since March, Mongolia has only allowed citizens to enter the country on chartered flights and required 21 days of quarantine in centralised facilities, followed by two weeks of further isolation at home.

There have been 1,584 coronavirus cases in the country so far.

Mongolia's prime minister resigned Thursday following protests and public outrage over the treatment of a coronavirus patient and her newborn baby. Landlocked Mongolia reported just a handful of Covid-19 cases last year after imposing strict border controls, but in November its first domestic transmissions caused a new wave of lockdowns and restrictions.

Mongolia's prime minister resigned Thursday following protests and public outrage over the treatment of a coronavirus patient and her newborn baby. Landlocked Mongolia reported just a handful of Covid-19 cases last year after imposing strict border controls, but in November its first domestic transmissions caused a new wave of lockdowns and restrictions. Anger mounted this week after TV footage showed a woman who appeared to have recently given birth being moved to an infectious disease centre wearing only hospital pyjamas and plastic slippers, despite temperatures dipping to minus 25 degrees Celsius. After protests outside government buildings on Wednesday, the Mongolian politician apologised on behalf of the government and said he would stand down immediately. "Unfortunately, we made mistake during relocating that mother," admitted Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhnaa Thursday. "It was heartbreaking to see how she was treated." "As a prime minister, I must take the responsibility." The video of the woman in an ambulance clutching her baby prompted fierce criticism, particularly as Mongolian tradition dictates new mothers should avoid the cold weather and cold food for the first month after birth. On Wednesday around 5,000 mostly young protesters gathered in a square opposite government buildings in the capital Ulaanbaatar, some carrying wrapped up bundles to represent babies. Ulziibayar Purevsuren, 30, held a banner reading "resign" and said she was there to complain about "incompetent doctors". The vice prime minister -- also head of the national emergency commission handling the pandemic -- had already resigned on Wednesday evening, followed by the minister of health. The head of the hospital and disease centre in the middle of the row also resigned. Political instability has been a constant problem for the young Central Asian democracy, which passed its first constitution in 1992 after decades of Communist rule. The outgoing prime minister had already survived a parliament vote to sack him in 2018 over a corruption scandal that implicated high-level politicians in a state fund embezzlement scheme -- a year after his predecessor was sacked over allegations of corruption. As the prime minister stands down, President Battulga Khaltmaa remains in place as head of state. But Khurelsukh has previously said he intends to stand for president in upcoming elections this year, and in his resignation speech he said he had "lost faith" in Battulga as head of state. - 'Voices heard' - This week's row is the latest clash over the government's handling of the Covid-19 outbreak as anger simmers over Mongolian nationals stuck overseas after the country closed its borders. "I don't think Mongolians will die of Covid-19, instead they will die of poverty and hunger," said 20-year-old student Odbayar Lkhagvadorj. "We are here to make our voice heard," said Batzul Batenkh, a 21-year-old mining worker. Restrictions on movement between provinces have been imposed since November, leaving about 80,000 people stranded in the capital. Many have complained of waiting weeks for virus tests to allow them to return to their homes or of having to sleep in their cars with hotels closed due to lockdowns. Officials were forced to apologise when a 58-year-old woman died in December after being refused entry to a hospital because she did not have a negative Covid-19 test result. Since March, Mongolia has only allowed citizens to enter the country on chartered flights and required 21 days of quarantine in centralised facilities, followed by two weeks of further isolation at home. There have been 1,584 coronavirus cases in the country so far.

Mongolian PM resigns after protests over Covid-19 mother's treatment

Police in China's Inner Mongolia region have detained at least 23 people following protests last week against a new policy that replaces Mongolian-language textbooks with Chinese ones in classrooms.

New guidelines in the Chinese-administered Inner&nbsp;Mongolia&nbsp;region require elementary and secondary school subjects including history, politics and language to be taught in Mandarin beginning on September 1.

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The push to use the new textbooks, which started in other ethnic minority regions such as Xinjiang and Tibet in 2017, has prompted demonstrations and school boycotts by ethnic Mongolians in at least five cities and counties in Inner Mongolia.

The 23 detentions were across eight banners, the regional word for counties, according to&nbsp;nine local police reports over the past several days.

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The reasons range from ''organizing and collecting signatures for a petition''&nbsp;to ''picking quarrels and stirring up trouble."

Others were for ''flagrantly insulting a deceased former leader of the country''&nbsp;and ''sharing videos in a WeChat group to obstruct the implementation of the national textbooks policy.'' WeChat is a popular messaging app in China.

The local government is also exerting pressure in other ways. Authorities in Zhenglan banner announced Saturday that they had suspended two members of the ruling Communist Party without pay for failing to carry out the policy.

Police in Chifeng city said Monday they handed over Communist Party members, including two elementary school teachers, to a local party disciplinary committee for investigation.

Police in China's Inner Mongolia region have detained at least 23 people following protests last week against a new policy that replaces Mongolian-language textbooks with Chinese ones in classrooms.

Police in China's Inner Mongolia region have detained at least 23 people following protests last week against a new policy that replaces Mongolian-language textbooks with Chinese ones in classrooms. New guidelines in the Chinese-administered Inner Mongolia region require elementary and secondary school subjects including history, politics and language to be taught in Mandarin beginning on September 1. Also read: Protests erupt as China moves to end Mongolian-medium teaching in schools The push to use the new textbooks, which started in other ethnic minority regions such as Xinjiang and Tibet in 2017, has prompted demonstrations and school boycotts by ethnic Mongolians in at least five cities and counties in Inner Mongolia. The 23 detentions were across eight banners, the regional word for counties, according to nine local police reports over the past several days. The reasons range from ''organizing and collecting signatures for a petition'' to ''picking quarrels and stirring up trouble." Others were for ''flagrantly insulting a deceased former leader of the country'' and ''sharing videos in a WeChat group to obstruct the implementation of the national textbooks policy.'' WeChat is a popular messaging app in China. The local government is also exerting pressure in other ways. Authorities in Zhenglan banner announced Saturday that they had suspended two members of the ruling Communist Party without pay for failing to carry out the policy. Police in Chifeng city said Monday they handed over Communist Party members, including two elementary school teachers, to a local party disciplinary committee for investigation.

China detains 23 Mongolians protesting against removal of traditional language in schools

A 15-year-old boy has died in western Mongolia of bubonic plague, the country's national news agency reported.

The Health Ministry said laboratory tests confirmed the teenager died of the plague that he contracted from an infected marmot, according to the Montsame News Agency.

The case prompted the government to impose a quarantine on a portion of the province of Gobi-Altai.

Montsame said 15 people who had contact with the boy were isolated.

In an unrelated case in neighbouring China, a patient who was infected with plague in the northern region of Inner Mongolia is improving, according to China's official Xinhua News Agency.

Xinhua said 15 people who had close contact with the patient were released from quarantine on Sunday.

The agency said the government ended its top-level emergency response.

An official announcement earlier said a warning for the public in the Bayannur region of Inner Mongolia to avoid eating marmot and to report dead animals would last through the end of 2020.

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A 15-year-old boy has died in western Mongolia of bubonic plague, the country's national news agency reported. The Health Ministry said laboratory tests confirmed the teenager died of the plague that he contracted from an infected marmot, according to the Montsame News Agency.

A 15-year-old boy has died in western Mongolia of bubonic plague, the country's national news agency reported. The Health Ministry said laboratory tests confirmed the teenager died of the plague that he contracted from an infected marmot, according to the Montsame News Agency. The case prompted the government to impose a quarantine on a portion of the province of Gobi-Altai. Montsame said 15 people who had contact with the boy were isolated. In an unrelated case in neighbouring China, a patient who was infected with plague in the northern region of Inner Mongolia is improving, according to China's official Xinhua News Agency. Xinhua said 15 people who had close contact with the patient were released from quarantine on Sunday. The agency said the government ended its top-level emergency response. An official announcement earlier said a warning for the public in the Bayannur region of Inner Mongolia to avoid eating marmot and to report dead animals would last through the end of 2020.

Mongolian teenager dies of bubonic plague: Report

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