The Long List of Charges Against Najib as 1MDB Trial Kicks Off This Week

(Bloomberg) -- The laundry list of allegations against Malaysia’s former leader Najib Razak for his role in 1MDB points to a lengthy road ahead as his trial begins on Tuesday.

The 42 counts of corruption and money laundering charges offer a window into the complex web of transactions surrounding 1Malaysia Development Bhd., the state fund that lies at the center of globe-spanning investigations involving about $4.5 billion of allegedly misappropriated funds. The probes have led to dozens of allegations against Najib, who has pleaded not guilty, while ensnaring Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in its first criminal case.

Read about how Goldman is preparing to face Malaysia’s legal system.

“This is likely to be the mother of legal battles in Malaysian history,” said Yang Razali Kassim, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. “It’s going to be tough. This growing array of charges also means it will take more time to wrap up the legal fight.”

Here’s a list of Najib’s charges in the order that they were laid against him:

The tally amounts to five counts of corruption and nine counts of criminal breach of trust, which carry punishments of up to 20 years and a fine if he’s found guilty. Najib also faces 28 counts of money-laundering charges, some of which carry up to five years jail time and others up to 15 years, as well as fines.

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