KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was charged in court on Wednesday (Jul 4) in a probe linked to how billions of dollars went missing from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state fund he founded.
Najib, 64, was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of using his position for gratification. The offences were allegedly carried out between 2011 and 2015.
In court, the former leader appeared tired and hung his head often during proceedings.
After the charges were read to him one by one, Najib pleaded not guilty to all charges and said softly from the dock: "I claim trial."
Each of the four charges carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years. The abuse of power charge carries a fine of not less than five times the "value of gratification".
"As a public official, which is prime minister and minister of finance, used your position for self-gratification (for a) total of RM42 million," Attorney-General Tommy Thomas said, referring to the abuse of power charge.
The attorney-general, who leads a 12-member prosecution team, asked the court to set bail at RM4 million (US$988,000) in cash and to remove Najib's two passports.
Najib's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah insisted his client was "not a flight risk".
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/najib-razak-charged-in-court-1mdb-10497402
Najib, 64, was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of using his position for gratification. The offences were allegedly carried out between 2011 and 2015.
In court, the former leader appeared tired and hung his head often during proceedings.
After the charges were read to him one by one, Najib pleaded not guilty to all charges and said softly from the dock: "I claim trial."
Each of the four charges carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years. The abuse of power charge carries a fine of not less than five times the "value of gratification".
"As a public official, which is prime minister and minister of finance, used your position for self-gratification (for a) total of RM42 million," Attorney-General Tommy Thomas said, referring to the abuse of power charge.
The attorney-general, who leads a 12-member prosecution team, asked the court to set bail at RM4 million (US$988,000) in cash and to remove Najib's two passports.
Najib's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah insisted his client was "not a flight risk".
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/najib-razak-charged-in-court-1mdb-10497402
