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Thousands in Malaysian Capital Protest Against PM Razak Amid Financial Scandal

© AP Photo / Forest ChewProtesters occupy a street during a rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016
Protesters occupy a street during a rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 - Sputnik International
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Tens of thousands of people in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur took to the streets to demand resignation of Prime Minister Najab Razak amid 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal, local Malay Mail reported on Saturday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The protest ended peacefully, despite fears of clashes between pro-Razak demonstrators and Bersih supporters. A total of 15 people were reportedly arrested, according to the Malay Mail newspaper.

The protest was organized by the Bersih group, after the prime minister was accused of money laundry via 1MDB company. Bersih is a non-state pro-democracy organization, which states it promotes free and fair elections.

In mid-2015, Najib's critics claimed that over $680 million had been transferred into the prime minister’s private bank account from the state-owned 1MDB. Following investigations, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission found that the money that appeared in Najib’s account did not belong to 1MBD, but had been transferred from unidentified donors from the Middle East. In January, the prime minister was cleared of the charges by prosecutors.

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According to new allegations, over $1 billion were deposited into the prime minister's accounts between 2011 and 2013, which is far higher than the previously alleged $681 million worth of deposits, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the situation.

The case has previously triggered unrest in Malaysia, with tens of thousands gathering across the country in late August to protest against Najib's suspected embezzlement of state funds.

In October, Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed demanded Najib's resignation over the allegations that he had misappropriated state funds to use as bribes.

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