Malaysian prosecutors piled more counts of money-laundering on ex-leader Najib Razak over 1MDB. The long-standing former Malaysia Prime Minister heads for trial in five months.
Najib Razak was charged with an additional 21 counts of money-laundering over 2.5 billion Malaysian ringgit ($603 million) allegedly linked to 1MBD and found in his personal bank account, according to news wire «Reuters».
The move is a stunning comeuppance for Najib, who says he is innocent. He was voted out in May, which set into motion a revival in Malaysia of an investigation into what U.S. prosecutors allege is a $4.5 billion graft scheme. The probe has ensnared Najib and potentially his wife, Rosmah Mansor.
Najib already faces criminal charges over funds belonging to SRC International – an 1MDB vehicle – for breach of trust, money-laundering and abuse of power. He is set to be tried in February 2019, an unprecedented event in the Malaysian state's 55-year history.
