Initial probes have shown that some of the emails purportedly leaked by a former PetroSaudi International staff on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) had been tampered with.

This was clarified by 1MDB in a statement today.

The government-owned strategic development company said they were aware of the arrest of the said staff, previously a PetroSaudi IT executive, for attempted blackmail and extortion in relation to proprietary email information belonging to PetroSaudi.

“1MDB is confident that the lawful authorities will thoroughly investigate, establish the facts and take appropriate action under the law.

“As stated previously, 1MDB pledges its full co-operation with the lawful authorities in their ongoing investigations on this matter,” the statement said.

Yesterday, it was reported that Xavier Justo, a Swiss national, was arrested by Thai police from his residence Koh Samui, Thailand on Monday and was brought to Bangkok the next day.

The police also seized computers, hard drives and other data storage devices in accordance with a court order and search warrants.

Justo, 49, was believed to have leaked information to the London-based Sarawak Report website for several reports about 1MDB.

PetroSaudi, meanwhile, had expressed their relief that the alleged perpetrator had been caught and will face the music in the court of law.

The company had also apologised to the people of Malaysia for all the trouble that its ex-employee had caused.