Malaysia's former deputy prime minister has been charged with abuse of power, corruption and money laundering involving millions of dollars in another graft investigation against the leaders ousted in shock election results earlier this year.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi now leads the opposition after his party was ousted in May's general elections. He was brought to court Friday, a day after he was detained by the anti-graft agency. He pleaded not guilty to eight counts of abusing his power, ten counts of criminal breach of trust and 27 counts of money laundering.
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Malaysia's former deputy prime minister has been charged with abuse of power, corruption and money laundering involving millions of dollars in another graft investigation against the leaders ousted in shock election results earlier this year.
Dozens of supporters from Zahid's United Malays National Organization rallied outside the court, slamming the charges as politically motivated.
United Malays National Organization's (UMNO) President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi waves as he arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. The anti-graft agency said Zahid was detained at its office shortly after he was summoned as part of its probe into abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering at a welfare group. It said in a statement that Zahid will be taken to court on Friday to face several charges under anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws. (AP PhotoYam G-Jun)
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak leaves Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. Najib arrived at high court in support of United Malays National Organization's (UMNO) President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Zahid is expected to be charged with abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering of funds in his family-run welfare group. (AP PhotoYam G-Jun)
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak walks out of court room at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. Najib arrived at high court in support of United Malays National Organization's (UMNO) president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Zahid is expected to be charged with abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering of funds in his family-run welfare group. (AP PhotoYam G-Jun)
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife also were charged with graft after the elections.
Supporters of United Malays National Organization's (UMNO) President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi protests outside Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. Zahid is expected to be charged with abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering of funds in his family-run welfare group. (AP PhotoYam G-Jun)
Dozens of supporters from Zahid's United Malays National Organization rallied outside the court, slamming the charges as politically motivated.
United Malays National Organization's (UMNO) President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. The anti-graft agency said Zahid was detained at its office shortly after he was summoned as part of its probe into abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering at a welfare group. It said in a statement that Zahid will be taken to court on Friday to face several charges under anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws. (AP PhotoYam G-Jun)
United Malays National Organization's (UMNO) President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi waves as he arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. The anti-graft agency said Zahid was detained at its office shortly after he was summoned as part of its probe into abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering at a welfare group. It said in a statement that Zahid will be taken to court on Friday to face several charges under anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws. (AP PhotoYam G-Jun)
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak leaves Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. Najib arrived at high court in support of United Malays National Organization's (UMNO) President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Zahid is expected to be charged with abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering of funds in his family-run welfare group. (AP PhotoYam G-Jun)
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak walks out of court room at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. Najib arrived at high court in support of United Malays National Organization's (UMNO) president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Zahid is expected to be charged with abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering of funds in his family-run welfare group. (AP PhotoYam G-Jun)