Malaysian court orders Najib to enter defense in his 2nd graft trial linked to 1MDB scandal

Malaysia's High Court has ordered imprisoned erstwhile Prime Minister Najib Razak to participate a defense successful his 2nd corruption proceedings complete nan multibillion-dollar looting of nan 1MDB authorities finance fund

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysia's High Court connected Wednesday ordered imprisoned erstwhile Prime Minister Najib Razak to participate a defense successful his 2nd corruption proceedings complete nan multibillion-dollar looting of nan 1MDB authorities finance fund.

Najib group up nan 1Malaysia Development Berhad authorities fund soon aft taking powerfulness successful 2009 to beforehand economical development, but nan money amassed billions successful debt. Investigators allege much than $4.5 cardinal was stolen from nan money and laundered by his associates to finance Hollywood films and royal purchases.

The prosecution established its lawsuit connected 4 charges of maltreatment of powerfulness to get complete $700 cardinal from nan money that went into Najib's slope accounts betwixt 2011 and 2014, and 21 counts of money laundering involving nan aforesaid amount, proceedings judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah said Wednesday.

He said grounds showed Najib had a vested liking successful 1MDB, and his pivotal domiciled successful each applicable transactions that yet plunged nan money into debt. Testimony by witnesses besides contradicted Najib's declare that nan costs successful his slope accounts were a aid from nan Saudi Arabia royal family, nan judge said.

The tribunal called connected Najib to make his defense, pinch nan proceedings group to resume Dec. 2. Calm successful a bluish suit passim nan proceedings, Najib, 71, told nan tribunal he would attest nether oath.

Defense lawyer Mohamed Shafee Abdullah told reporters that Najib was disappointed pinch nan tribunal ruling.

“We are not giving up and we are going to conflict this case," he added.

The 1MDB ungraded upended Najib’s authorities and he was defeated successful nan 2018 election. He faces a slew of ineligible cases and started serving clip successful 2022 aft losing his last appeal successful his first graft lawsuit linked to 1MDB.

Najib’s existent proceedings began successful August 2019. It ties him straight to nan ungraded and progressive 50 witnesses testifying complete much than 230 days of hearing.

On Oct. 24, Najib issued a uncommon apology for nan ungraded “under his watch” but reiterated his innocence.

Najib faces up to 20 years successful situation for each count of maltreatment of powerfulness and up to 5 years for each of nan money laundering charges. In addition, Najib still has a pending lawsuit involving a criminal breach of spot and different money laundering trial. His wife Rosmah Mansor and different elder authorities officials besides look corruption charges.