Malaysia: Former premier’s graft case trial begins

ANKARA

The trial of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in a million-dollar corruption case started on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur on at least seven charges, local media reported.

According to The Star online, the high-profile trial was heard before justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.

Razak is accused of transferring 42 million Malaysian ringgits ($14 million) from SRC International, a subsidiary company of state fund 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad), into his personal bank accounts.

In February, the court had temporarily stayed the hearing of the graft case.

Najib is facing three counts of criminal breach of trust, one charge of abusing his position and three counts of money laundering over SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.

The former prime minister pleaded not guilty on the charges.

The prosecution has submitted over 3,000 pages of documents, including the minutes of meetings of SRC International, and is calling 50 witnesses to testify during the entire trial.

Justice Nazlan had dismissed Razak’s application that said the abuse of power charges against him were "defective" and should be heard on Wednesday before the commencement of the trial.

"That can be heard at a later date," Nazlan ruled.