Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said police were only doing their job in investigating all aspects of the case.

Jong Chol, 47, had been detained to facilitate the investigation into the Feb 13 murder of Kim Jong Nam at Malaysia’s low-cost carrier airport, klia2, but was deported on Friday due to lack of evidence to prosecute him.

“He (Jong Chol) can issue any statement but the police have conducted their work in accordance with the stipulated procedure and have released him for lack of evidence (to prosecute),” Noor Rashid told Bernama.

Speaking in Beijing en route to North Korea, Jong Chol reportedly accused Malaysian investigators of using coercion to extract a confession from him. Noor Rashid denied this.

On Malaysia’s declaration that North Korean ambassador Kang Chol was now persona non grata and had been given 48 hours to leave Malaysia, Noor Rashid said the immigration department would ensure that the diplomat leaves the country.

It was reported that Jong Nam was waiting for his flight to Macau at klia2 on Feb 13 when two women suddenly wiped his face with a liquid that was later identified as the VX nerve agent.

Jong Nam reportedly sought help at a customer service counter at the airport and was rushed to Putrajaya Hospital but died on the way.

He had used a passport bearing the name Kim Chol.