Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak appeared before the court on Wednesday over the corruption case,  AP reported.

According to the chief prosecutor, Najib Razak wielded “near absolute power” for nearly a decade.

“The accused is not above the law and his prosecution and this trial should serve as precedents for all future holders of this august office,” Attorney General Tommy Thomas said in his opening statement.

According to the investigation, Najib Razak, holding the position of the head of the country's government, created a 1MDB state investment fund from which he transferred more than 600 million euros to personal bank accounts.

Ten years ago, Najib became the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia, but anger over the 1MDB scandal led to his defeat in elections last May.

According to the investigation, more than $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB by associates of Najib between 2009 and 2014. 

Illegally obtained revenues were laundered through bank accounts in the United States and other countries to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels, luxury yachts, works of art, jewelry.

The ill-gotten gains were laundered through layers of bank accounts in the U.S. and other countries to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels, a luxury yacht, art works, jewelry.

About $700 million from the fund that Najib set up for Malaysia’s economic development allegedly landed in his own bank account.

Najib Razak served as the 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2009 to 2018.