SRC TRIAL | The prosecution team in the SRC International criminal trial expects that the whole appeal process up to the Federal Court level may take up to another year.

Lead prosecutor V Sithambaram (photo, above) said this when asked on the matter after the Kuala Lumpur High Court convicted former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak of seven criminal charges related to the state-owned company.

"I estimate that the appeal process at the Court of Appeal will take between four to five months, and after that, it would go to the Federal Court where it would take another four to five months.

"So everything should be...if the records and judgement are ready in a year's time," he told reporters during a press conference earlier this evening.

This afternoon, the High Court found Najib guilty of three counts of money laundering offences, three counts of criminal breach of trust offences, and one charge of abuse of power.

Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali then meted out jail sentences of 12 years for the abuse of power charge, and 10 years each for the six other offences, all of which to be served by Najib concurrently. He also fined the politician RM210 million over the abuse of power offence.

Following the judgement, Najib and his defence team led by Muhammad Shafee Abdullah have applied for a stay of the execution pending an appeal at the Appellate Court.

Asked on his feeling over the verdict, Sithambaram said the prosecution was pleased that the judge has accepted their evidence and witnesses as credible.

"Of course as prosecutors, we came with evidence, both in documentary form and in witnesses, we presented the evidence, and we are pleased that the evidence that we believed, which we trusted, which we thought there was a case, has been accepted by the court.

"It is a huge relief for us with the findings of the learned judge," he said.

Meanwhile, Shafee in a separate press conference earlier expressed his optimism that Najib would be exonerated by the higher courts.

"We will, of course, appeal both convictions, as well as the sentences, and we believe we have got a good chance for both," he said.

Related reports:

Govt respects Najib's right to appeal his sentence

More Umno leaders express sympathy to Najib

Khairy’s views are his own, says Najib

Attempts made to discredit Nazlan's impartiality after SRC ruling

Najib sentenced to 12-year concurrent prison term, RM210m fine

Zahid: Umno to make 'political decision' in response to Najib's conviction

I ensured fairer, gentler society – Najib's speech from the dock

Najib guilty of all seven charges related to SRC International

SRC case: Defence requests mitigation to be heard on Monday

SRC verdict justice for M'sians, say politicians, journos who exposed 1MDB scandal

Vindication for S'wak Report editor after 'devastating' verdict against Najib

Judge, prosecutor make history with conviction of former PM

'This is wrong!' -'Bossku' supporters rage against guilty court verdict

Cops remind Najib's supporters to adhere to Covid-19 SOP

SOPs disregarded: Health DG 'saddened' by lack of self-control at court complex

Muhyiddin 'smiles the widest' at Najib's SRC verdict, claims Puad

MP complains of Covid-19 risk in Parliament after colleagues join Najib rally

Return voters' mandate, reform institutions - Harapan after SRC verdict

LIVE | Najib recites 'sumpah laknat' again, denies knowledge of RM42m

Khairy’s views are his own, says Najib

Khairy’s views are his own, says Najib

Attempts made to discredit judge's impartiality after SRC ruling

Attempts made to discredit judge's impartiality after SRC ruling

Najib sentenced to 12-year concurrent prison term, RM210m fine

Najib sentenced to 12-year concurrent prison term, RM210m fine

Judge, prosecutor make history with conviction of former PM

Judge, prosecutor make history with conviction of former PM