Riza Aziz files representation for review of money laundering charges

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Riza, owner of Red Granite Pictures pleaded not guilty to five chargesnvolving US$248 million (RM1.25 billion) which was allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB. Bernama Photo

KUALA LUMPUR: Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, who is the stepson of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, has filed a representation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) for a review of the money laundering charges, involving US$248 million (RM1.25 billion) which was allegedly misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), against him.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P Kunyalam told this to reporters after the case management, which was held in chambers before Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob today.

He said the letter of representation was sent to the AGC last Nov 18.

Following which, he said, the court set Dec 13 for further case management to know the status on the representation.

Also present during the proceeding was lawyer Datuk Hariharan Tara Singh, representing Riza, 42.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Mustaffa said the prosecution had to submit several documents related to the case to the defence as required under Section 51A of the Criminal Procedure Code.

“There are several documents to be submitted, and we will also submit the witness list during the case management ( this Dec 13), while the witness statements will be submitted two weeks prior to the hearing,” he added.

On Aug 9, Sessions Court Judge Rozina Ayob set Jan 6 to 9 and Jan 13 to 16 for the trial.

On July 5, Riza, owner of Red Granite Pictures pleaded not guilty to five charges.

On the first charge, the producer of Wolf of The Wall Street was accused of being involved in money laundering proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to US$1,173,104 via a transaction made from an account with the number 11116073 which belonged to Good Star Limited at RBS Coutts, Switzerland to account number 123248291 of City National Bank, Los Angeles, USA belonging to Red Granite Productions Inc.

The money was allegedly misappropriated from IMDB funds between April 12 and May 12 at City National Bank, Los Angeles Main, 525 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California, USA.

On the second charge, Riza, who is the son of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor from her previous marriage, was accused of committing the same offence involving US$9 million via transfers from the same account on Sept 10, 2012, and Oct 10, 2012, at the same premises.

On the third and fourth charges, he was accused of the same offence involving US$133 million and US$60 million in money transfers from account number 81134378 belonging to Aabar Investment PJS Limited, at BSI SA, Lugano, Switzerland to account number 6C02250A at BSI Bank Limited, Singapore belonging to Red Granite Capital Ltd.

The offence was allegedly committed at BSI Ltd, 7 Temasek Boulevard, #32-01 Suntec Tower One, Singapore on June 18, 2012, and Oct 23, 2012.

On the fifth charge, Riza was accused of committing the same offence amounting to US$45 million at the same venue on Nov 14, 2012.

The charges were framed according to Section 4(1) (a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which carries a fine not exceeding RM5 million or imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both upon conviction. – Bernama