A Malaysian court on Monday (November 14) rejected the government's bid to forfeit luxury goods worth millions of dollars seized from the imprisoned former premier Najib Razak saying there's no proof that the assets are connected to any criminal activity.&nbsp;

Over 2,000 items of jewellery, branded watches and handbags were seized by the government in various raids. The move to forfeit them was rejected by the Kuala Lumpur High Court and the assets will now be returned to Najib and his family.

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His attorney said, "The court threw it out because there is not an iota of evidence that showed that the money was the illegally obtained proceeds of a crime." He added that these objects were presents and belonged to Najib's family and party.&nbsp;

After the court rejected a separate forfeiture claim on the confiscated funds, nearly&nbsp;$114 million ringgit ($24.86 million) were restored to Najib in 2021, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

Due to popular outrage over his suspected participation in a multibillion-dollar fraud at a state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, Najib was ousted from office in 2018.&nbsp;

Following his loss in the elections, police seized cash and luxurious assets like jewellery and handbags worth nearly $300 million in raids on several of Najib's properties.&nbsp;

Najib was then convicted in a 1 MDB-related corruption case and is currently on a 12-year prison term.&nbsp;

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Najib has been continuously denying any wrongdoing.

The court's ruling comes days before the general election in which there is the possibility that Barisan Nasional from Najib's alliance is expected to win as the current Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob-led alliance is said to have fallen due to recent political unrest.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Malaysian court on Monday (November 14) rejected the government's bid to forfeit luxury goods worth millions of dollars seized from the imprisoned former premier Najib Razak saying there's no proof that the assets are connected to any criminal activity.

A Malaysian court on Monday (November 14) rejected the government's bid to forfeit luxury goods worth millions of dollars seized from the imprisoned former premier Najib Razak saying there's no proof that the assets are connected to any criminal activity. Over 2,000 items of jewellery, branded watches and handbags were seized by the government in various raids. The move to forfeit them was rejected by the Kuala Lumpur High Court and the assets will now be returned to Najib and his family. Also read | Malaysia PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob orders investigation for misconduct into former attorney-general His attorney said, "The court threw it out because there is not an iota of evidence that showed that the money was the illegally obtained proceeds of a crime." He added that these objects were presents and belonged to Najib's family and party. After the court rejected a separate forfeiture claim on the confiscated funds, nearly $114 million ringgit ($24.86 million) were restored to Najib in 2021, Reuters reported. Due to popular outrage over his suspected participation in a multibillion-dollar fraud at a state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, Najib was ousted from office in 2018. Following his loss in the elections, police seized cash and luxurious assets like jewellery and handbags worth nearly $300 million in raids on several of Najib's properties. Najib was then convicted in a 1 MDB-related corruption case and is currently on a 12-year prison term. Also read | Ex-Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad: The stalwart gunning to win in polls at the age of 97 Najib has been continuously denying any wrongdoing. The court's ruling comes days before the general election in which there is the possibility that Barisan Nasional from Najib's alliance is expected to win as the current Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob-led alliance is said to have fallen due to recent political unrest. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Malaysian court rejects govt's bid to forfeit millions in assets linked to imprisoned ex-PM Najib

Just days after her husband was sentenced to prison for corruption, Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, appeared in court on Thursday to hear the verdict on the accusation against her of soliciting bribes in exchange for government contracts.

On the other hand, her husband Najib started serving a 12-year prison sentence last week in a multibillion-dollar fraud scandal (1MBD).

After Najib’s administration was ousted in 2018, he and his wife, who faced criticism for her extravagant lifestyle, were at the centre of anti-corruption campaigns.

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Rosmah, 70, pleaded not guilty to three of the charges against her for soliciting and recovering bribes to help a company secure a $279 million solar power project from the government when her spouse was in power. The charges against the first lady carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a fine equal to five times the amount of the bribe, Reuters reported.

As per the prosecution, Rosmah received a bribe of 187.5 million ringgit and was given another 6.5 million ringgit by a business representative. However, in response to this, the latter said that various government officials, including her former assistant, are trying to set her up.

In a separate case, the first lady is also charged with 17 money laundering and tax evasion cases for receiving 7.1 million ringgits.

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The former prime minister also remains on trial for four other corruption-related trials.

In the 1MBD scandal, the US department alleges that $4.5 billion was stolen, nearly $1 billion of which was sent to Najib’s personal bank accounts. The department further stated that some of the stolen funds from 1MBD were used to buy jewellery, including a $27 million pink diamond.

Rosmah is pursuing her request for the presiding judge to oversee the case. The trial has not yet started.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Just days after her husband was sentenced to prison for corruption, Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, appeared in court on Thursday to hear the verdict on the accusation against her of soliciting bribes in exchange for government contracts.

Just days after her husband was sentenced to prison for corruption, Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, appeared in court on Thursday to hear the verdict on the accusation against her of soliciting bribes in exchange for government contracts. On the other hand, her husband Najib started serving a 12-year prison sentence last week in a multibillion-dollar fraud scandal (1MBD). After Najib’s administration was ousted in 2018, he and his wife, who faced criticism for her extravagant lifestyle, were at the centre of anti-corruption campaigns. Also read | Najib Razak: Malaysia's former PM and his collapse over corruption charges Rosmah, 70, pleaded not guilty to three of the charges against her for soliciting and recovering bribes to help a company secure a $279 million solar power project from the government when her spouse was in power. The charges against the first lady carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a fine equal to five times the amount of the bribe, Reuters reported. As per the prosecution, Rosmah received a bribe of 187.5 million ringgit and was given another 6.5 million ringgit by a business representative. However, in response to this, the latter said that various government officials, including her former assistant, are trying to set her up. In a separate case, the first lady is also charged with 17 money laundering and tax evasion cases for receiving 7.1 million ringgits. Also read | Malaysian Army tank breaks down on Kuala Lumpur highway; Twitter explodes The former prime minister also remains on trial for four other corruption-related trials. In the 1MBD scandal, the US department alleges that $4.5 billion was stolen, nearly $1 billion of which was sent to Najib’s personal bank accounts. The department further stated that some of the stolen funds from 1MBD were used to buy jewellery, including a $27 million pink diamond. Rosmah is pursuing her request for the presiding judge to oversee the case. The trial has not yet started. (With inputs from agencies)

Malaysia’s former first lady Rosmah appears in court for corruption trial, verdict to be announced soon

Watch today in World Business Watch: Global investment bank Goldman Sachs have agreed to pay nearly $3 Billion to settle a probe into its role in Malaysia's 1MBD Scandal (1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal).

World Business Watch: Goldman Sachs to pay $3 Billion fine in 1MBD Scandal

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Malaysian court rejects govt's bid to forfeit millions in assets linked to imprisoned ex-PM Najib

Malaysia’s former first lady Rosmah appears in court for corruption trial, verdict to be announced soon

World Business Watch: Goldman Sachs to pay $3 Billion fine in 1MBD Scandal