A political analyst with close links to senior politicians could face the death penalty after being charged today in connection with the murder of a Mongolian model.

Abdul Razak Baginda, 46, was charged with abetting the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, whose body was blown up with hand grenades, his lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told AFP .

The charge was read out to Abdul Razak - head of the influential Malaysian Strategic Research Centre think-tank - in a packed lower court but no plea was recorded. The crime is punishable by death.

"We are preparing to defend him. We want the trial to be fixed as soon as possible. His health is not good," Muhammad Shafee said.

Wife: He's a good man

Abdul Razak's wife Mazlinda Makhzan protested her husband's innocence.

"He is a good man. Why are you (the media) doing this. He is an innocent man. The police killed her," she said.

Abdul Razak allegedly abetted two policemen - Azilah Hadri, 30, and Sirul Azhar Umar, 35 - to commit the murder, the official Bernama news agency said.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said after meeting with Bangkok-based Mongolian ambassador Yachii Bauuri that the rule of law will take its course in the murder of the Mongolian model, which has gripped the nation.

"I mentioned to him that the crime that has been committed against the Mongolian citizen is all going through the due process of the law," Syed Hamid said of the meeting.

"He mentioned to me that he really appreciate the actions that have been taken really quickly and efficiently," he said.

Elite cops also face death

The two junior officers with the police tactical unit appeared in court yesterday charged with Altantuya's murder. If found guilty, they also face the death penalty.

Police have said that the 28-year-old model was Abdul Razak's lover and that she was kidnapped from outside his home.

She went missing on Oct 21 and her shattered remains were found in an isolated area near the capital Kuala Lumpur on Nov 6.

Abdul Razak - whose political connections stretch as high as deputy premier Najib Razak, who is also defence minister - has been in police custody since being detained last Tuesday.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has vowed there will be no cover-up of the woman's murder.