The North Korean man being held by
Malaysia in connection with the death of Kim Jong-nam is to be released
and deported on Friday.
Malaysia's Attorney General Mohamed Apandi
Ali said Ri Jong Chol was "a free man" as there was "insufficient
evidence to charge him".
The estranged half-brother of North Korea's leader died on 13 February - he was poisoned with VX nerve agent.
Two women were charged with his murder on Wednesday.
Malaysia is seeking to question several North Koreans, including an embassy official, suspected of being involved in the murder.
Also on Thursday, Malaysia announced it was ending visa-free travel for North Koreans, citing security reasons.
North Koreans can currently visit Malaysia for up to 30 days without securing a visa, under a reciprocal deal.
But
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that is changing as
of Monday 6 March, the Bernama state news agency reports.
The two women, Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from
Indonesia are accused of smearing the nerve agent on Mr Kim's face while
he was preparing to fly out of the budget airport in Malaysia's
capital, Kuala Lumpur.
Ri Jong Chol, who has lived in Malaysia for
the last three years, was arrested four days later. Police did not
provide details on why he had been detained.
On Thursday, officials said Ri Jong Chol will be deported because he does not have valid travel documents.
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