In response to an episode of Australian news programme 60 Minutes, the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection said in a statement that it obtained two independent translations of video recordings which did not support the specific claims being made to 60 Minutes.
In the videos, Sirul denied Prime Minister Najib Razak’s involvement in the Altantunya Shaariibuu murder or that the Mongolian woman was pregnant.
The department explained that the generalised nature of the statements in the videos, including references to immigration and legal processes, were consistent with those underway immediately prior to Sirul’s detention.
Furthermore, the department noted that Sirul’s personal appearance and the presence of other features in the videos, including his clothing, the backdrop and seating, did not exist in Villawood and were inconsistent with the video having been recorded while the convicted killer was in detention.
“There is no evidence to support suggestions that visitors could have smuggled in clothing and backdrops to allow the making of the videos.
“Such activity would be inconsistent with screening processes and supervision arrangements for visits to the centre.”
The statement further said a review of video surveillance of visits to Sirul did not support claims the videos were filmed in Villawood.
“These factors support the department’s view that the video was made between the time of the Malaysian Federal Court’s decision and the time the individual entered immigration detention.”
Also attached with the statement was a letter from the department to 60 Minutes, denying a request for Sirul to be interviewed for the programme.
Sirul has been sentenced to death by hanging, along with second commando Azilah Hadri, for the murder of Altantuya in 2006.
However, Sirul fled to Australia in 2014 while on bail and has been detained at Villawood since January 2015.