Updated

A Malaysian appeals court has overturned the convictions of two police officers accused of murdering a Mongolian woman who had an affair with the prime minister's friend.

The court ordered both men be freed in a verdict likely to revive claims of a political conspiracy surrounding the high-profile case that the opposition has repeatedly sought to link to Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The officers were the only suspects found guilty of shooting Altantuya Shaariibuu and blowing up her body with military explosives in 2006. A High Court judge in 2009 sentenced them to be hanged.

A three-judge panel in the Court of Appeals overturned the convictions Friday and ruled the High Court had overlooked gaps in the evidence.

Prosecutors can appeal the verdict one final time in Malaysia's highest court.