Top Umno Lawyer Hafarizam Detained, Najib’s Ex-PR Man Charged in Absentia

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Najib’s former public relations consultant Paul Stadlen facing money-laundering charges.

Datuk Hafarizam Harun, a prominent lawyer known for handling cases for Umno, has been arrested as part of money laundering investigations and will likely be charged with two counts of money laundering tomorrow.

Sources from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said the 47-year-old lawyer, was detained at the anti-graft headquarters in Putrajaya at 4.20pm today.

He is expected to be charged tomorrow at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.

Apart from representing Umno, Hafarizam had also acted for former premier Najib Razak.

Meanwhile, British national Paul Geoffrey Stadlen, who once worked for Najib as a public relations consultant, has been charged in absentia with money-laundering.

Stadlen, who had previously worked for global PR firm Apco, fled the country soon after the May 9 general election last year.

He has been sought by the MACC over a case linked to 1MDB.

Reportedly, the authorities would apply for an arrest warrant and work with Interpol to have Stadlen face trial in Malaysia.

MACC sources said Stadlen and Hafarizam are both connected to RM15 million of funds linked to 1MDB.