Vietnamese people generally believe that their fellow citizen who was charged over the murder of North Korean Kim Jong-nam, is innocent, said a family member of the accused.

Tran Huy Huang, 23, said the family of the accused and the Vietnamese people hoped that the Malaysian people and the country's justice system would see this.

"The whole family and Vietnamese people know that (Doan) Thi Huong is innocent because she is a very good girl.

"We expect she is innocent and Malaysia knows about that," he said during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Thi Huong, 28, along with Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, were jointly charged with Jong-nam's murder on March 1. Jong-nam is the older brother of North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un.

Tran and Thi Huong's father Van Thanh are currently in Malaysia to attend pre-trial proceedings that will take place tomorrow.

"Our family is very shocked with this development," said Tran, in explaining the reason for the visit.

Father hidden at embassy

Thi Huong, who used to work at an entertainment outlet, met her father Van Thanh at the Kajang prison this morning.

According to Tran, the meeting lasted slightly more than an hour and his cousin is fine.

He added that Thi Huong had advised her father to stay at the Vietnamese embassy for his safety.

"That is why he remained at the embassy," he said.

Tran said that yesterday, they met Thi Huong's counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik.

Hisyam Teh, along with Naran Singh, were appointed by the Vietnamese embassy.

'Real criminal got away'

Tran and his uncle arrived in Malaysia on Monday and tomorrow they will be attending the proceedings in Sepang.

Asked about the North Korean officials being allowed to leave, Tran said he feels sad as "the real criminal has gotten away".

He added that he will try to attend the proceedings tomorrow and they will go back on Saturday.

He added that a Vietnamese NGO is helping out with their expenses for this trip.

The cousin added that Van Thanh worked as a cleaner at a market and Thi Huong has three siblings.