Fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho is reportedly residing in the United Arab Emirates and has obtained asylum in another country on the basis of human rights and political persecution.

A spokesperson for Low, through his attorneys, told Malaysiakini that the businessperson was understood to have been offered asylum in August this year “by a country that acts in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and European Convention on Human Rights.”

The spokesperson had reportedly added that Low, better known as Jho Low, was also spending time in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries where he has “close relations with royal families”.

Singapore’s Straits Times and other sources have said that Low was given asylum in August under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and European Convention on Human Rights.

The Malaysian Insight quoted a legal source as saying that Low was offered asylum due to Malaysia’s “purported political action and human rights violations” against him.

Another legal source was quoted as saying that Low was now protected under international law, in a manner akin to Malaysia refusing to deport Zakir Naik on the basis that the preacher would not receive a fair trial in his home country of India.

Low is wanted in several countries over his role in the 1MDB scandal.

It was reported today that he had reached a deal with the US Justice Department to return over US$700 million in assets which were acquired using funds allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador had said last month that Low was using his wealth to “buy influence” and was able to roam freely in an undisclosed country.

He further added that Malaysian police were negotiating with the country in question to bring Low back.