// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Malaysia's disgraced former PM leaves jail for house arrest after embezzling millions
Najib smiles to reporters at the Kuala Lumpur High Court after it cleared the way for him to go home
Malaysia's disgraced former Prime Minister Najib Razak has arrived home to begin serving the rest of a jail sentence for corruption under house arrest.
There was a big media presence at his Kuala Lumpur residence to see the 73-year-old return from prison in an SUV late on Tuesday night, escorted by a heavily armed police convoy.
Najib's return ended a four-year prison stint after he was found guilty over the embezzlement of billions of dollars from the country's sovereign wealth fund.
The 1MDB scandal brought down his government and made headlines around the world when it came to light a decade ago, embroiling prominent figures from Malaysia to Goldman Sachs and Hollywood.
Investigators estimated that $4.5bn (£3.3bn) was siphoned from the state-owned wealth fund, which Najib co-founded, into private pockets, including his own. More than $1bn allegedly ended up in accounts linked to Najib, according to prosecutors.
Najib's lawyers claim he had been misled by his advisers - in particular the financier Jho Low, who has maintained his innocence and remains at large.
Journalists jostled for a glimpse of Najib as he was driven to his home, which has been declared a federal prison
Najib's mansion in one of the capital's most exclusive neighbourhoods was declared a federal prison ahead of his homecoming on Tuesday.
Critics said his release from jail undermined efforts to fight corruption and questioned its legal basis, saying Malaysian law made no provision for house arrest.