Ex-PM of Malaysia found guilty in multi-million corruption case

Najib Razak, former Malaysian Prime Minister, is found guilty of seven charges in the first trial of a multi-million dollar corruption scandal.

The central court decision and verdict surrounded the transfer of 42 million ringgit (£7.7 m) from a state fund into the former PM's private accounts.

The state fund, known as the 1 Malaysia Development Berhad, was set up to give a boost to the country's economy, back in 2009.

The PM who was in office from 2009-2018 pleaded not guilty to the charges including money laundering, criminal breach of trust and abuse of power.

He claims he was misled by his financial advisors, such as fugitive businessman Jho Low, who convinced him that the Saudi royal family donated the money.

Each charge that Najib Razak faces carries 15-20 years worth of prison time, but currently, he will remain out of jail until all appeals are exhausted.

Another trial that began in August 2019 investigated accusations of Najib Razak's involvement in obtaining 2.28bn ringgit (£448m) between 2011-2014 from the same state fund.

The missing ringgit within today's verdict has been allegedly linked to a luxury estate, classical artwork by Monet and Van Gogh and a private jet.