Jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection
Malaysia's incarcerated former prime minister, Najib Razak, has been admitted to a hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, as reported by his spokesperson on Thursday.
Najib, aged 70, is currently in stable condition and is undergoing quarantine and treatment at the hospital, according to his aide, Muhamad Mukhlis Maghribi. He was transferred to the hospital on Tuesday from prison due to fever symptoms.
According to a report from Reuters, the former prime minister is serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption linked to the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Both U.S. and Malaysian investigators estimate that approximately $4.5 billion was embezzled from 1MDB, a fund co-founded by Najib during his first year as prime minister in 2009. Over $1 billion of those funds were traced to accounts associated with Najib. Recipients of these illicit funds used the money to acquire luxury assets, real estate, a Picasso painting, a private jet, a superyacht, hotels, jewelry, and even to finance the 2013 Hollywood film "The Wolf of Wall Street," according to investigators.
Najib has consistently maintained his innocence. He was initially convicted in 2020 and commenced his prison term last August when Malaysia's highest court dismissed his final appeal, making him the first prime minister in the country's history to be incarcerated.
Since then, Najib has been in and out of the hospital for various health issues, including stomach ulcers and high blood pressure.
Najib has submitted a request for a royal pardon, which, if granted, could lead to a reduced sentence. He is also facing additional trials on corruption charges.
