The police have summoned numerous journalists over their 'inaccurate' reports on the gruesome murder of freelance Mongolian model Altantuya Shariibuu.

Those summoned include five journalists from Malay newspapers - with Utusan Malaysia being the first yesterday - followed by journalists from Chinese newspapers, Sin Chew Daily , Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press today.

It is learnt that the police are trying to establish the journalists' sources who provided in-depth details regarding the case which has seen the arrest of a prominent political analyst and several policemen.

Alantuya's murder and her alleged intimate links with the analyst received immense coverage in the local dailies.

The dailies have been releasing details of the victims and the alleged suspect even as the police are carrying out their investigation into the murder.

This has led to several critics accusing the newspapers of carrying out a trial by media .

When contacted, a Kuala Lumpur police public relations officer confirmed that journalists from three newspapers were called up today but declined to reveal further information.

Sources said it is only a matter of time before journalists from other news organisations are also summoned as well.

Could amout to subjudice

Bernama reported that five journalists from the Malay newspapers were called up yesterday to have their statements recorded.

Quoting a police source, the report said the journalists were summoned over their 'inaccurate' reports regarding the murder.

According to the source, it is normal procedure to summon journalists whose 'inaccurate' reports can jeopardise police investigations.

In a related development, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan today said calling up the journalists is not scare tactic but done to avoid complications when the case is heard.

Altantuya, 28, is said to have been shot dead and her remains blown to bits with explosives in a secondary jungle.

Previously, the analyst's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah had warned that some of the reports and statements appearing in the media could amount to being subjudice .