Najib Razak Discharged on Money Laundering Charges, But Not Acquitted

The High Court in Malaysia has issued a discharge, but not an acquittal, for former Prime Minister Najib Razak on money laundering charges. The case, which has been ongoing for some time, is connected to a former unit of the state fund 1MDB, which has been embroiled in scandal.

Mr. Najib has been incarcerated since August 2022, following his conviction on corruption and money laundering charges related to funds taken from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB. Authorities in Malaysia and the United States have stated that approximately $4.5 billion was stolen in a complex, international scheme.

The former Prime Minister was also facing three separate money laundering charges involving 27 million ringgit, which was allegedly misappropriated from SRC. The case had experienced numerous delays since 2019, leading the Kuala Lumpur High Court to grant Mr. Najib's request for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal. His lawyer stated that the prosecution could refile the charges when ready.

This recent decision marks the second instance where charges linked to 1MDB against Mr. Najib have been dropped. Last year, a court granted a similar request due to procedural delays in a corruption case involving the former premier and the country's former treasury chief. In 2023, he was acquitted on separate charges of tampering with a government audit into 1MDB.

Mr. Najib is still awaiting a verdict in the most significant trial related to the 1MDB scandal, with closing arguments expected in October. He has consistently denied all charges against him. Additionally, he is seeking to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest and is attempting to compel the government to confirm a royal order that he claims would permit this.