Judge Collin Sequerah has begun delivering his verdict. #1MDB - so far, has found the four abuse of charges were not faulty and that Najib was not prejudiced in the trial - multiple witnesses described Low as close to Najib who gave directions to 1MDB officials on his behalf
"All these pieces of evidence... when taken cumulatively cannot be described in any other manner except that it revealed an unmistakable bond and connection between the accused and Jho Low," Judge Sequerah said.
Judge Sequerah: "To entertain the belief that officers subordinate to him would willingly conspire against a sitting PM of the day, together with Jho Low who did not even hold an official position in #1MDB, would be to stretch the imagination into the realms of pure fantasy."
Najib's defence of receiving a Saudi donation was also rejected, with no evidence that any written acknowledgement or formal appreciation conveyed. "The conduct of the accused was not in keeping with usual norms of human behavior, especially given the enormous sums received."
Judge Sequerah says elements of Najib's own narrative on the Arab donation render his defence implausible, among them: - no verification done - no documentary evidence linking the funds to King Abdullah and Saudi royal family - continued using funds even though origin obscure
Judge Sequerah also rejects defence's submission that ex-1MDB lawyer Jasmine Loo fabricated evidence in her testimony on one of the Saudi donation letters. "There's compelling evidence that all the Arab donation letters, including the fourth letter, were not genuine."
Judge Sequerah says Arab donation defence has failed to rebut presumption of gratification, with respect of all four abuse of power charges, and further failed to raise reasonable doubt on the 21 money laundering charges #1MDB
Turning to the question on the 1MDB funds being used for political purposes: "It is inconceivable that a person in the position of Prime Minister of the ruling political party would not have any accounting records kept by an organization which was the supposed beneficiary."
Judge Sequerah: "Even if the funds were meant for political donation... this does not in any way serve to legitimise the use of the funds if they originated from illegal sources." #1MDB
Court taking a 10 min break. Judge will continue shortly after before a longer recess for Friday prayers, with Najib expected to be back in court at 3pm. #1MDB
The court has resumed. The judge is now analysing evidence on whether Najib was misled or duped by Jho Low or other 1MDB officials.
Judge Sequerah: "The accused was no country bumpkin but possessed of not only an impeccable family, a political pedigree, but of superior intelligence, given his academic background and his previous experience in politics and in the administration."
Judge Sequerah: "The attempt by the defense to portray the accused as a person too immersed and engaged in running the country, to keep an eye on the management of a sovereign fund, and that as a result, placed blind trust in the management and the board cannot hold true."
The court has adjourned again for Friday prayers, to resume at 3pm.
The Court is back in session. #1MDB
Judge Sequerah, on the investment of $1 b in 1MDB funds in the Petrosaudi joint venture in 2009, from which $700 million was diverted to Jho Low's Good Star: "The stark reality is that there was no genuine investment and the accused later benefited from the diversion of funds."
Judge Sequerah: "It is evident that had it not been for his authority as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the transfers of these funds would not have taken place." #1MDB
Judge Sequerah: "The contention by the accused that the charges against him were a witch hunt and politically motivated were debunked by the cold, hard and incontrovertible evidence which pointed towards the accused having abused his own powerful position in 1MDB..."
BREAKING: Judge Sequerah says Malaysian ex-PM Najib Razak convicted on first charge of abuse of power in his biggest #1MDB trial. "I find that the accused has not rebutted the presumption of gratification under the MACC Act," he said.
BREAKING: Najib convicted on second charge of abuse of power.
BREAKING: Najib Razak convicted on third charge of abuse of power as well. One more to go + 21 money laundering charges. #1MDB
BREAKING: Najib convicted on fourth and final count of abuse of power. #1MDB
#1MDB Judge Sequerah now going through the money laundering charges, says fund trail involving Najib's accounts shows a traceable link to the predicate offenses of abuse of power
#1MDB Judge Sequerah: "The money trail traces the funds from 1MDB through a circuitous route, ultimately ending up in the accounts of the accused."
#1MDB Judge Sequerah: "This was not chicken feed... the sums remitted were staggering."
BREAKING: Najib Razak found guilty on nine counts of money laundering. #1MDB
BREAKING: Guilty on five more money laundering charges. Seven to go.
BREAKING: "For the avoidance of doubt, this court finds the accused guilty of all 21 (money laundering) charges and convicts the accused accordingly." - Judge Sequerah
#1MDB Najib's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah is asking for a short adjournment to confer with his client in case there is new instruction. Judge Sequerah is saying no, wants to move on directly to sentencing mitigation.
#1MDB The suspense continues. 30-minute break while Najib confers with his lawyers ahead of sentencing.