Wife of ousted Malaysia PM formally charged with corruption News
© WikiMedia (theCurrent)
Wife of ousted Malaysia PM formally charged with corruption

Rosmah Mansour, wife of ousted Malaysian prime Minister Najib Razak, was formally charged Wednesday, along with three others, on two counts of corruption at the Kuala Lampur Sessions Court.

Early last month Mansour pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of corruption and money laundering. Her husband was charged with similar crimes in July.

These charges follow this year’s notorious “1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal,” in which the couple is alleged to have embezzled up to USD $7.5 billion through a corrupt government development company. Mansour, personally, is alleged to have stolen 12,000 pieces of jewelry, 423 wristwatches and 567 handbags, among other items, along with $112 million in cash; the total value of these items exceeds $225 million. Just before they could flee the country, Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamed placed the couple under house arrest.

Under the 2001 Anti-Money Laundering Act, Mansour could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail and a fine of not less than five times the sum of the proceeds of her unlawful activity or MYR 5 million, whichever is higher.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.