French Prosecutors Allege Najib's Role in 2002 Submarine Deal Bribery

French financial prosecutors have alleged in a confidential 2024 investigative document that former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak met with defense company executives to arrange contracts tied to a 2002 $1.2 billion submarine deal, which were purportedly structured to facilitate bribes to him and others. This allegation surfaced amid a broader case involving French defense firms Thales SA and DCN International. However, Najib's lawyers have strongly rejected any wrongdoing, emphasizing that the French prosecutors have not recommended charges or sought an indictment against him, and that no evidence shows he personally received any payments. They also dismissed claims that French investigators were obstructed by Najib’s influence, noting that since 2018, multiple Malaysian administrations have had full access to defense ministry records, none of which implicate him. Najib’s legal team underscored that his role in the submarine procurement negotiations was part of his official duties as defense minister, and characterized the allegations as unfounded and misleading. The case remains under judicial consideration in France, with no trial currently sought against Najib himself.