*ISLAMABAD – Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was arrested onTuesday, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, amid aninvestigation into how billions of dollars went missing from a state fundhe founded almost a decade ago.*
Authorities picked up Najib from his home after serving him with a remandorder, two sources close to the family said. One of the sources said Najibwas expected to be charged in court on Wednesday.
Malaysia’s anti-graft agency also said Najib had been arrested, accordingto state news agency Bernama.
A Najib spokesman did not immediately have a comment. Najib hasconsistently denied wrongdoing in dealings with state fund 1MalaysiaDevelopment Berhad (1MDB).
Since his shock election loss to Mahathir Mohamad in May, Najib has beenbarred from leaving the country, quizzed by the anti-graft agency and hadhis personal and family houses searched as part of the 1MDB probe.
Mahathir said in an interview with Reuters last month that embezzlement andbribery with government money were among the charges that Malaysia waslooking to bring against Najib, adding they had “an almost perfect case”against him.
Founded by Najib in 2009, 1MDB is being investigated in at least sixcountries for alleged money laundering and graft.
Civil lawsuits filed by the US Department of Justice allege that nearly$4.5 billion was misappropriated from 1MDB.