1MDB: swiss former banker pardoned by new Thailand’s King

Switzerland's Xavier Justo, jailed in Thailand for blackmailing his former employer in a case linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, will be among the thousands of prisoners pardoned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

"He met the condition for his release from prison after receiving the latest royal pardon, as he has less than one year of his jail term," Justo's lawyer, Worasit Piriyawiboon told Malaysia’s Bernama news agency today. The Swiss national is expected to be released from prison in three to seven days after the announcement of the pardon.

The Bangkok South Criminal Court found the ex-Petrosaudi International employee guilty in August last year after he admitted to blackmailing his employer who had dealings with 1MDB, the Malaysian firm at the center of a multi-billion dollar scandal.

Justo became a household name in Malaysia after he gave whistleblower website Sarawak Report documents alleging financial impropriety involving Petrosaudi, 1MDB and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who started the state-owned fund in 2009.
The new Thai king ascended to the throne almost two week ago after his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died in October.