The number of charges against Jho Low keeps growing, even if the fugitive financier is nowhere to be found.
Malaysia today (Dec. 4) issued an arrest warrant in absentia against Low, who’s believed to have siphoned billions from the 1MDB state investment fund. The warrants will allow police to seek Interpol’s cooperation to issue a red notice, reports Free Malaysia Today.
New charges were filed also today against Low and four other individuals, but they were not made public. Today’s charges come on top of eight counts of money laundering Malaysia filed against him in August and an indictment by US federal authorities last month. In the US, Low has been charged with conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy to bribe officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi, allegedly with the aim of directing 1MDB business to Goldman Sachs, which is also entangled in the scandal.
Former prime minister Najib Razak, the other alleged major player in the corruption scandal, faces 38 charges related to money laundering, graft, and breach of trust in Malaysia. He has pleaded not guilty.
Though Low remains at large, that hasn’t stopped him from speaking out and maintaining his innocence. In September, he emerged with a new website promising to “provide the true story.”
Many—including prime minister Mahathir Mohamad—believe he is hiding out in China. Mahathir said it’s a delicate situation to accuse China of hiding Low and so the country is trying to use “private efforts” to extradite him. Chinese officials have said there is no record of him entering the country, unless he did so on a different name on a different passport.
In addition to its efforts to get Low back, Malaysia is also dealing with his seized superyacht. Bidding for the Equanimity just closed last week, but it’s unknown who the bidders are, or how much they’re bidding. If any offers match or surpass its appraised value, believed to be worth $250 million, Equanimity could have a fresh start under a new owner in the coming weeks.