Malaysia drops charge against 'Wolf of Wall Street' producer

Malaysia drops charge against 'Wolf of Wall Street' producer

SeattlePI.com

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian prosecutors have dropped money laundering charges against “The Wolf of Wall Street” film producer and stepson of ex-Prime Minister Najib Razak in a move slammed by Human Rights Watch on Friday as a “triumph for impunity and corruption."

Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he was worried the move could set a precedent in graft cases in which “thieves will be let off if they return the stolen money."

Riza Aziz reached a settlement with the government and was discharged Thursday without being formally acquitted, meaning that prosecutors can revive the charge. The anti-graft agency said in a statement that the government will recover $107.3 million of overseas assets involved in the case — about 43% of the $248 million Aziz was accused of having laundered from the 1MDB state investment fund — and Riza is also required to pay an unspecified fine.

Riza was the third person in his family to be charged last year over the 1MDB graft scandal that helped Mahathir's alliance oust Najib’s long-ruling government in May 2018 elections. Both Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor face multiple graft charges, and are currently on trial. Najib says his family was targeted by Mahathir’s government as political vengeance.

Riza's discharge came under current Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's government, which came into power in March amid political maneuvering and Mahathir's resignation. The new government includes Najib’s party, which has several other leaders also facing graft charges.

“Riza Aziz walking free is a triumph for impunity and corruption, and running roughshod over the rights and interests of the Malaysian people," said Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director.

“I think letting Riza Aziz go is all about gauging the public’s reaction for...

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