Malaysia's Najib begins final bid to overturn 1MDB jail punishment

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Top court begins hearing ex-PM Najib Razak's appeal to overturn his jail sentence in a case linked to multibillion-dollar 1MDB financial scandal.

Prosecutors say more than $1 billion in 1MDB funds made their way into Najib's personal accounts. (AFP)

Malaysia's top court has begun hearing ex-PM Najib Razak's appeal to overturn his jail sentence for corruption in a high-stakes legal gambit that could see him locked up or potentially launching a political comeback.

The Federal Court on Tuesday dismissed the former prime minister's plea for a retrial, clearing the way for the hearings which will be held until August 26.

Najib, 69, has pleaded not guilty to dozens of charges over the alleged theft of $4.5 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (or 1MDB), a state fund he co-founded as premier in 2009. 

The scandal has ensnared high-ranking officials and financial institutions around the world.

Prosecutors say more than $1 billion in 1MDB funds made its way into Najib's personal accounts. 

In July 2020, he was convicted in the first of several trials of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering, for illegally receiving about $10 million from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit. 

An appeals court upheld the conviction last year.

Source: AFP

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/malaysias-najib-begins-final-bid-to-overturn-1mdb-jail-punishment/?feed_id=12372&_unique_id=62fda818d58b6

Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib attempts to nullify 1MDB conviction on his final try

Najib is appealling his convictions for criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering over the alleged theft of $4.5 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad, a state fund he co-founded as premier in 2009.

Najib, who was voted out in 2018, has been free on bail pending the appeal. (Vincent Thian / AP)

Malaysian former Prime Minister Najib Razak starts his final attempt to set aside his conviction in a corruption case linked to the multi-billion dollar 1MDB financial scandal.

The country's highest court has scheduled hearings through August 26 to hear Najib's appeal of his convictions for criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering over the alleged theft of $4.5 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state fund he co-founded as premier in 2009.

In addition to appealing that verdict, Najib is asking the Federal Court to introduce fresh evidence to nullify the trial, accusing the trial judge of a conflict of interest, documents filed ahead of Monday's hearing showed.

Najib, who was voted out in 2018, has been free on bail pending the appeal. If the verdict is upheld, he would likely begin his sentence immediately, according to a prosecutor. Malaysian law allows for a review of Federal Court decisions, but such applications are rarely successful.

The appeal comes ahead of national elections that are expected to be called before a September 2023 deadline.

An acquittal could spark a political comeback for Najib, who told Reuters last year he had not ruled out seeking re-election to parliament.

While he remains a popular figure and active lawmaker, Najib is barred from contesting elections unless his conviction is overturned or he receives a royal pardon.

READ MORE: Ex-Malaysia PM Najib hints he may seek re-election to parliament

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1MDB scandal

At least six countries have launched investigations into 1MDB, a global scandal that has implicated high-level officials and major financial institutions.

Prosecutors say more than $1 billion in 1MDB funds made its way into Najib's personal accounts.

Najib, 69, who has pleaded not guilty to dozens of charges, was sentenced in July 2020 in the first of several trials to 12 years in jail and a $50 million fine for illegally receiving about $10 million from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit.

The conviction was upheld by an appeals court last year.

READ MORE: Ex-Goldman Sachs banker convicted in US in 1MDB case

Source: Reuters

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/malaysias-ex-pm-najib-attempts-to-nullify-1mdb-conviction-on-his-final-try/?feed_id=10951&_unique_id=62f992e7b1347