Ex-Malaysian PM in court to face corruption charges

In this Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 file photo, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak delivers his opening speech at a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Two months after his shock election defeat, Najib was arrested and is facing charges for graft. (AP File Photo)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has arrived at a Kuala Lumpur courthouse to face charges stemming from a corruption investigation, two months after his shock election defeat.

Najib was arrested Tuesday by anti-graft officials over a suspicious transfer of $10.4 million (42 million ringgit) into his bank accounts from SRC International, a former unit of the 1MDB state investment fund that United States investigators said was looted by associates of Najib.

State news agency Bernama said Najib could be charged Wednesday with more than 10 counts of criminal breach of trust, which has a maximum penalty of 20 years prison.

Najib, 64, has denied any wrongdoing and accused the new government of seeking “political vengeance.”   /kga