Former Malaysian Prime Minister Razak arrested in corruption probe
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Razak arrested in corruption probe
Veteran Malaysian leader Najib Razak has been arrested by anti-corruption investigators, following allegations of misuse of state funds.
2 min read
Najib Razak has been dogged by allegations of corruption [Getty]
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been arrested by anti-corruption investigators, according to news agencies, two months after he lost an election to a longtime political rival.
"The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission took Tan Sri Najib Razak at 3:10pm to Putrajaya MACC building. They came in three to four unmarked cars," a senior security official told AFP.
Najib will be charged with corruption at a court later on Wednesday, news agencies reported, in relation to SRC International, a former arm of Malayasia's state investment fund 1MDB.
Authorities say they are investigating Najib as part of a probe into 42 million ringgit ($10.6 million), which was allegdly transferred into Najib's bank account from SRC International.
He has been accused of diverting hundreds of millions of dollars from the fund to her own personal account.
Najib and his wife are accused of spending millions from these fund for luxury items, including $27.3 million pink diamond necklace, New York Times has said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Najib's stepson Riza Aziz was questioned by authorities.
Rumours of corruption and political pay-offs dogged Najib for years before he lost the May election to rival Mahathir Mohamad.
Najib has been barred from leaving the country with Mahathir saying they have "an almost perfect case" against him.
Anti-corruption investigators went to Najib's home on Tuesday and served him a remand order, Reuters reported.
Najib is being investigated in at least six countries in relation to alleged money laundering and corruption relating to 1MDB.
The US alleges that $4.5 billion was laundered from the state investment fund.
"The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission took Tan Sri Najib Razak at 3:10pm to Putrajaya MACC building. They came in three to four unmarked cars," a senior security official told AFP.
Najib will be charged with corruption at a court later on Wednesday, news agencies reported, in relation to SRC International, a former arm of Malayasia's state investment fund 1MDB.
Authorities say they are investigating Najib as part of a probe into 42 million ringgit ($10.6 million), which was allegdly transferred into Najib's bank account from SRC International.
He has been accused of diverting hundreds of millions of dollars from the fund to her own personal account.
Najib and his wife are accused of spending millions from these fund for luxury items, including $27.3 million pink diamond necklace, New York Times has said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Najib's stepson Riza Aziz was questioned by authorities.
Rumours of corruption and political pay-offs dogged Najib for years before he lost the May election to rival Mahathir Mohamad.
Najib has been barred from leaving the country with Mahathir saying they have "an almost perfect case" against him.
Anti-corruption investigators went to Najib's home on Tuesday and served him a remand order, Reuters reported.
Najib is being investigated in at least six countries in relation to alleged money laundering and corruption relating to 1MDB.
The US alleges that $4.5 billion was laundered from the state investment fund.
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