Donald Trump, a convicted felon, to be US president again; here are other world leaders with criminal histories

Donald Trump is set to become the US’ 47th president despite being a convicted felon. Picture: Peter Zay / AFP

Donald Trump is set to become the US’ 47th president despite being a convicted felon. Picture: Peter Zay / AFP

Published Nov 6, 2024

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Donald Trump, who has a laundry list of charges that he was proven to be guilty of, will be the ‘leader of the free world’ once more.

Trump faced 34 first-degree felony accusations for falsifying company documents in connection with payments made to pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election.

His trial started on April 15, 2024, and the businessman-turned-politician was found guilty on all 34 counts on May 30.

Surprisingly, there are numerous other world leaders who have criminal histories.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva - Brazil

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was Brazil’s president who served from 2003 to 2010. But, he was imprisoned in 2018 for corruption.

However, his charges were reversed in 2021, allowing him to run for president in 2022 and win in the polls once more.

Benjamin Netanyahu - Israel

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu was accused of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery.

Netanyahu also faces allegations of accepting bribes and behaving in a conflict of interest as Minister of Communications. These charges are pending.

Najib Razak - Malaysia

Former Malaysian Prime Minister from 2009 to 2018, Najib Razak was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

However, this sentence was reduced to six years. He has been in prison since 2022.

Mikheil Saakashvili - Georgia

Former President Mikheil Saakashvili is currently in prison serving a six-year sentence after being arrested in 2021.

He was found guilty in absentia of abuse of authority, including directing riot police to beat up an opposition member of parliament in 2005 and pardoning four officials who had murdered a man.

Ivo Sanader - Croatia

Ivo Sanader, who was Croatia’s Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009, has been in jail since 2011.

He was extradited after fleeing the country and condemned to prison in a series of crimes, including corruption and profiting from war.

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