Rule of law stories

Sep 18, 2026

Najib Razak granted house arrest in Malaysia's 1MDB corruption case

Malaysia's king granted former Prime Minister Najib Razak permission to serve the remainder of his prison sentence for corruption in the 1MDB scandal under house arrest.

Sep 18, 20267 sources

Aug 11, 2026

Hungary's parliament elects former supreme court chief András Baka as president

Hungary's parliament elected András Baka, 73, a former Supreme Court chief justice who was ousted during Viktor Orbán's tenure, as the country's new president. The appointment marks a symbolic step in Prime Minister Peter Magyar's effort to dismantle the political legacy and power structures of former premier Orbán.

Aug 11, 20269 sources

Jul 29, 2026

Federal court dismisses James Comey threat prosecution as politically motivated

Defense filings reveal the DOJ's case against former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly threatening Trump relied on accounts from a mobster and TV actress, with evidence showing Trump personally reviewed case details and Secret Service illegally surveilled Comey.

Jul 29, 20266 sources

Jun 22, 2026

South Korea's Former Justice Minister Sentenced to 25 Years for Martial Law Role

A South Korean court sentenced former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae to 25 years in prison for his involvement in ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law declaration in 2024.

Jun 22, 20262 sources

Jun 1, 2026

Philippine Senator Arrested on Plunder Charges in Major Corruption Case

Philippine Senator Estrada, son of a former president, was detained after surrendering to police on charges of taking kickbacks in a flood-control project scandal. The case represents the latest corruption crisis to hit the country's political establishment.

Jun 1, 20262 sources

May 9, 2026

Bahrain Expels Three MPs After Vote Against Royal Decree on Citizenship Oversight

Bahrain's parliament expelled three lawmakers after they voted against a royal decree removing judicial oversight from citizenship decisions. The expulsions occurred just days after the controversial vote.

May 9, 20262 sources

Top claims

▪Despite his convictions, former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak continues to hold significant political influence within the United Malays National Organisation, a key partner in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's unity government
▪King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar's decision to grant Najib Razak a conditional pardon allowing him to serve his 1MDB-related sentence under house arrest marks an unprecedented use of house arrest as a form of royal clemency in Malaysia, raising questions about royal powers and the rule of law
▪Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was imprisoned in August 2022 after the top court upheld his 2020 conviction for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering involving 42 million ringgit from SRC International

People involved

Viktor Orbán Peter Magyar Donald Trump

Subtopics

Judicial independence2 Democratic backsliding1 Department of Justice1 EU rule of law & judicial independence1 Financial crime1 Government accountability1 Gulf Cooperation Council politics (GCC)1 Gulf States1 Hungarian politics1 James Comey1 Judicial accountability1 Martial law1 Political Corruption1 Political tradition1 Political weaponization of justice1 Prosecutorial misconduct1 Trump administration1

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