Sodomy trial of Malaysia’s Anwar starts after lawyers fail to secure further delays
By APWednesday, February 3, 2010
Sodomy trial of Malaysia’s Anwar starts
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has gone on trial for allegedly sodomizing a male aide in a politically charged case.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court began hearing the case Wednesday after Anwar’s lawyers exhausted efforts to put the proceedings on hold on technicalities.
The prosecution accuses Anwar of committing sodomy with 24-year-old Saiful Bukhari Azlan in June 2008.
Anwar, 62, calls the allegation a conspiracy aimed at breaking his political movement.
The opposition severely eroded the ruling coalition’s grip on power in March 2008 general elections.
Sodomy is punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment in this Muslim-majority country. A conviction would also bar Anwar from politics for five years.
