Malaysia declared its international airport a "safe zone" on Sunday after completing a sweep of the terminal where Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, was assaulted with a deadly chemical last week.
Kim died on February 13 after being smothered at the airport's budget terminal with VX nerve agent, classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction.
Since then, tens of thousands of people have passed through the terminal, with the location of the assault remaining accessible.
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In a file picture taken on June 4, 2010, Kim Jong Nam, the eldest son of former DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il, waves after an interview with South Korean media representatives in Macao. /CFP Photo
The police's forensic team, fire department, and Atomic Energy Licensing Board swept the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA2) at 1:00 am local time on February 26.
"We confirm, first, there is no hazardous material found in KLIA2. Secondly, KLIA2 is free from any form of contamination of hazardous material and third, KLIA2 is declared a safe zone," Abdul Samat Mat, the police chief of Selangor state who is leading the investigation, told reporters at the airport.
The location of the assault was cordoned off during the sweep, but the rest of the terminal remained open.
Mat said on Saturday authorities raided an apartment in an upscale Kuala Lumpur suburb earlier this week in connection with the death, and were checking for any traces of unusual chemicals in the apartment.
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Investigators wearing protective suits continue to work at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 27, 2017, looking into the murder of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of DPRK leader Kim Jong Un. /CFP Photo
South Korean and US officials say Kim was assassinated by DPRK agents, but the DPRK has not acknowledged his death.
The Indonesian attacker, Siti Aishah, was reported to be unwell, possibly due to contact with the chemical.
Authorities are running tests to ascertain whether Siti was affected by the chemical.
No next of kin has claimed the body. While Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed Kim Jong Nam's identity, official confirmation is pending.
Malaysia said on Saturday that it may issue an arrest warrant for a DPRK diplomat wanted for questioning over the case, as diplomatic tensions between the two countries escalated over the killing.
The diplomat is not known to have met the police yet.
(Source: Reuters)
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