Najib has long denied wrongdoing.
French prosecutors have alleged that former Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak played a role in a 2002 submarine deal involving bribes, according to a non-public investigative document from the Parquet National Financier (PNF) seen by Bloomberg News.
The document claims Najib met defence company executives in 2000 to prepare contracts for a US$1.2 billion (RM5.13 billion) deal to supply Malaysia with two new submarines and one second-hand vessel, signed in June 2002 between DCN International (DCNI, now part of Naval Group), Izar Construcciones Navales SA (now Navantia SA), and the Malaysian government.
The PNF alleges these contracts were structured to facilitate payments to Najib, his adviser Dr Abdul Razak Baginda, and others.
The allegations form part of a broader French investigation into corruption involving Thales SA, DCNI, and two Thales entities.
The PNF recommends a criminal trial for Abdul Razak, DCNI, Thales, and its entities, but not for Najib, as French investigators lacked sufficient evidence to summon or charge him due to limited cooperation from Malaysia.
A French investigating magistrate will decide whether to proceed to trial or dismiss the allegations, with no clear timeline.
Najib, who remains influential in Malaysia and is serving a reduced sentence for 1MDB-related convictions, denies wrongdoing.
His lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, said Najib declined to comment to avoid interfering with ongoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Attorney General’s Chambers investigations.
In a 2020 MACC interview, Najib stated: “He was my strategic adviser, but he was involved in a private capacity,” referring to Abdul Razak, adding he was not a government negotiator or present in Najib’s office.
The MACC continues to investigate the submarine deal but offered no comment.
Abdul Razak denies all allegations and is appealing the PNF’s trial recommendation. Thales and DCNI reject the claims, asserting compliance with regulations.