North Korea accuses USA of 'smear campaign' over death of Otto Warmbier
NORTH Korea has accused the USA of carrying out a "smear campaign" following the death of US student Otto Warmbier.
North Korea said today the death of Mr Warmbier, who was kept prisoner in the hermit state since last January, was "a mystery to us as well".
They rejected claims the student had been tortured during his time in captivity in North Korea, where he was accused of espionage.
Kim Jong-un's government had released grainy images which they claimed showed Mr Warmbier in a restricted part of a hotel during a trip to the country.
They said he had tried to steal a propaganda banner kept in a staff section of the building.
Now they have accused America of carrying out a "smear campaign" in the wake of Mr Warmbier's death.
Mr Warmbier was released earlier this month and returned to the USA, where he was described as being in a "state of unresponsive wakefulness".
He had suffered brain damage following respiratory arrest, possibly as a result of torture in the rogue state.
The 22-year-old died on June 19, prompting a furious response from the US government.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he held North Korea responsible for the student’s death.
He said: “Today we received with deep sadness the news that Otto Warmbier has passed away.
“On behalf of the entire State Department and the United States government, I extend my condolences to the Warmbier family, and offer my prayers as they enter a time of grief no parent should ever know.
Trump on Otto Warmbier’s death: A lot of bad things happened
“We hold North Korea accountable for Otto Warmbier’s unjust imprisonment, and demand the release of three other Americans who have been illegally detained.”
Donald Trump also hit out at North Korea, claiming "a lot of bad things happened" to Mr Warmbier during his captivity in the country.