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Malaysia to sweep Kuala Lumpur airport for chemical poison VX nerve agent

“(We are looking to) sweep all locations that we knew the suspects went to. We will get the experts from the atomic energy department to go to the location and sweep it to see if radioactive (material) is still there,” police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said.

Updated on: Feb 24, 2017, 12:36:28 IST
Reuters, Kuala Lampur | By
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Malaysian authorities will sweep the international airport and other locations for radioactive material, the police chief said on Friday, following the murder of Kim Jong Nam in which VX nerve agent, a highly toxic chemical, was used.

A file photo believed to be of Kim Jong Nam, the eldest son of then North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. (AP Photo)
A file photo believed to be of Kim Jong Nam, the eldest son of then North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. (AP Photo)

“(We are looking to) sweep all locations that we knew the suspects went to. We will get the experts from the atomic energy department to go to the location and sweep it to see if radioactive (material) is still there,” police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said.

It was the first time police had mentioned “radioactive material” and he did not elaborate on what could “still” be there.

Kim, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, died after being assaulted at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb 13.

Authorities found traces of VX, classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations, on the body.

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