Malaysia court sets Nov. 11 to deliver verdict on Najib

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - The Malaysian top court will pronounce its verdict on Nov. 11 whether former Prime Minister Najib Razak needs to enter his defence in a multibillion-dollar corruption case.

Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali at Kuala Lumpur-based High Court said on Tuesday that court’s decision in allegations of Razak's corruption linked to the multibillion-dollar state investment fund, 1MDB will be delivered Nov. 11, The Star, an English-language Malaysian newspaper reported on Tuesday.

"If there is no prima facie, the accused (Najib) will be acquitted. But if prima facie is found on any of the charges, the defence will be called," the report cited Mohd Ghazali as saying.

Najib is facing seven charges including breach of trust, abuse of power, and money laundering. He has pleaded not guilty to charges.

The charges include that the 1MDB organization was allegedly used to steal state funds worth 42 million Malaysian ringgits ($14 million) for transfer into the accounts of Razak, and people associated with him.

The case saw many postponements during the trial.

The prosecution has so far produced 57 witnesses, since the trial began on April 3.