KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — A Malaysian court has dropped three money laundering charges against former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is currently incarcerated. These charges were linked to the multibillion-dollar scandal involving the embezzlement of a state fund, known as 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The High Court's decision was made on Friday, allowing Najib to focus on his primary trial related to 1MDB.
Najib Razak had previously been convicted in a corruption case associated with 1MDB and has been serving a 12-year prison sentence since 2022, following the loss of his final appeal. His legal troubles are extensive, with several other graft trials pending against him. These legal issues began to unfold after he established the 1MDB fund shortly after taking office in 2009. Investigators have alleged that over $4.5 billion was embezzled from the fund by his associates and used to finance extravagant purchases and Hollywood films. This scandal played a pivotal role in the downfall of Najib's administration, culminating in his electoral defeat in 2018.
The charges dropped by the court involved allegations that Najib received 27 million ringgit (approximately $6.3 million) in illegal proceeds deposited into his bank accounts. Najib's lawyer, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, stated that the prosecution encountered procedural delays that prolonged the case for six years, ultimately preventing them from providing a timeline for when they would be prepared to proceed with the trial. The prosecutors retain the right to refile the charges, but Shafee emphasized that the discharge does not equate to an acquittal. However, Najib reportedly expressed satisfaction with the outcome, which permits him to concentrate on the central 1MDB trial.
In November of the previous year, Najib was similarly discharged alongside the former treasury chief in another 1MDB-related corruption case. This discharge was also attributed to continuous delays from the prosecution, but both individuals remain at risk of being charged again for the same offenses. In 2023, Najib was acquitted on separate charges concerning allegations of tampering with a government audit related to 1MDB, representing a slight relief amid his ongoing legal battles.
Initially sentenced to 12 years in prison, Najib's sentence was halved by Pardon Boards in 2024. He has contended that the board issued an order for him to complete his sentence under house arrest, a claim that is still being debated in court. Presently, Najib awaits a verdict in another critical case directly tied to the 1MDB scandal, which has incited investigations not just within Malaysia but also in the United States and several other nations.
As of May, the defense concluded its presentation of evidence concerning four charges of abuse of power against Najib, which alleged that he improperly obtained over $700 million from 1MDB that was funneled into his bank accounts. Additionally, there are 21 counts of money laundering linked to the same amount. Closing arguments are scheduled for October, after which the court will determine a date for the verdict.
