Asia

Judge rules graft charges to stand against Malaysia's Najib

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, walks in a courtroom at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, April 29, 2019. Najib, his former deputy and several high-ranking former officials have already been charged with corruption after the election ushered in the first change of power since Malaysia's independence from Britain in 1957. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak adjusts his tie as he arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, April 29, 2019. Najib, his former deputy and several high-ranking former officials have already been charged with corruption after the election ushered in the first change of power since Malaysia's independence from Britain in 1957. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak has failed in his bid to have seven corruption charges against him dismissed as his trial enters its third week.

At the start of his trial April 3, Najib challenged the criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering charges against him on grounds they lacked clarity and impeded the preparation of his defense.

Judge Mohamad Nazlan Mohamad Ghazali ruled Monday the charges would stand. He said Najib hadn't been prejudiced as his lawyers had extensively cross-examined 21 witnesses that testified so far.

The trial is the first of several against Najib, who faces 42 graft charges in one of the country's biggest criminal proceedings.