Najib's stepson Riza pleads not guilty to money-laundering charges (updated)
Friday, 5 Jul 20199:38 AM MYT
by hanis zainal and nurbaiti hamdan
KUALA LUMPUR: The stepson of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz pleaded not guilty to all five charges of money laundering amounting US$248.173mil (RM1.02bil) from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds at the Sessions Court here on Friday (July 5).
The money was allegedly channelled through Good Star Ltd, a company allegedly linked to fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low.
Low is a central figure to the 1MDB scandal.
His half siblings Nor Ashman and Nooryana Najwa were present in court.
He was the co-founder of Red Granite Pictures, which was behind the Hollywood blockbuster The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie.
Film producer Riza, 43, allegedly committed the offences in the United States and Singapore between April 2011 and November 2012.
He was released on a bail of RM1mil.
His counsel Datuk K. Kumaraendran asked for the bail to be paid in installment, but Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram objected.
Judge Rozina Ayob asked for the bail to be produced by the end of the day.
All charges were under Section 4 (1) (a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.
If found guilty, Riza faces a fine of not more than RM5mil, or a jail term of not more than five years, or or both.
More to come
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Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/07/05/najibs-stepson-riza-pleads-not-guilty-to-moneylaundering-charges/#eBReVxtPf0EAj4wL.99
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