BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

ONE of the suspects of a murder case in Kuala Belait was found dead while in police custody.

In a statement issued yesterday, Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) confirmed that Muhammad Hakimi Rizal Abdullah @ Eyan Anak Beritin, died at 10.15am yesterday from “unnatural causes”. He was 33.

A post-mortem on the deceased was also conducted yesterday. The results of the investigation will be referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers, added the statement.

Muhammad Hakimi Rizal was charged with the murder of 43-year-old Ispawi Idris at a house in Belait’s Pandan 7 National Housing Scheme on May 20, together with the 27-year-old co-accused Muhammad Zulkifli Abdul Jalil. The charge carries the death penalty.

Last week, the prosecution had applied for the men to be remanded at separate police stations as the investigation was still ongoing.

Muhammad Hakimi Rizal was remanded at Bandar Seri Begawan Police Station, while Muhammad Zulkifli Abdul Jalil, 27, was placed under the custody of Berakas Police Station.

They were due to appear at the Magistrates’ Court for a further mention of the case on June 11.

In a previous report, the Special Investigation Unit, Crime Investigation Department arrested the two suspects after responding to an emergency call on May 23, 2015 when a body was found in a car that was parked at Kg Pandan 7 in Kuala Belait.

The suspects were arrested on May 27, 2015.

The Brunei Times