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Malaysian authorities detain ex-PM Najib

Tuesday, 03 July 2018 9:52 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 03 July 2018 9:54 AM ]

This file photo, taken on May 1, 2018, shows former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak. (By AFP)

Malaysian authorities have arrested former prime minister Najib Razak over graft charges, marking a serious escalation in a corruption probe.

Media cited three sources familiar with the matter saying Razak had been arrested on Tuesday.

The premier had been under an investigation into how billions of dollars went missing from a state fund he founded in 2009.

Razak is expected to be charged in court on Wednesday after being remanded for one night.

His arrest came a day after his stepson was summoned for questioning by authorities. Riza Aziz, Razak’s stepson, was summoned by Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to give a statement in connection with the probe, media reports said on Monday.

In addition, authorities have frozen 408 bank accounts involving funds of about 1.1 billion ringgit (272.4 million dollars) as part of the probe into the multi-billion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB.

1MDB is currently under investigation in at least six countries for graft and money laundering.

Treasure trove

Malaysian police last week unveiled nearly 275 million dollars worth of jewelry, handbags, watches, and other items confiscated and purportedly belonging to Razak and his wife.

PressTV-Malaysia police to question Razak after seizing $275mn

Malaysian police say they will soon question Najib Razak and wife after seizing up to $275 million of luxury items from homes linked to the former premier.

Amar Singh, the head of the police commercial crime division, said the retail value of the items seized from six properties linked to Najib had been between 900 million ringgit and 1.1 billion ringgit (224 million dollars and 273 million dollars).

“This is the biggest seizure in Malaysian history,” Singh told a news conference.

He said more than 150 police officers and external experts took nearly a month to value the seized items.

Since he was ousted from power by Mahathir Mohamad in elections in May, Najib has been barred from leaving the country, questioned by the anti-graft agency, and had his personal and family houses searched as part of the 1MDB probe.

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