Opposition leader in Malaysia, charged with sodomy, calls case ‘treacherous’
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KUALA LUMPUR : Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's top opposition leader, was charged Thursday with what he dismissed as a “treacherous” accusation of sodomy. He was allowed to remain free on bail to campaign for a seat in;Parliament.
Anwar said the charge was intended to thwart the rejuvenated opposition from forming a government and ousting the National Front coalition, which has governed Malaysia since it became independent in;1957.
Anwar, who faced a similar accusation a decade ago, pleaded not guilty during a hearing in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, held amid massive police security that underscored the political tensions surrounding the;case.
His defense lawyer, Sankara Nair, said, “There is no case,” adding that Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, had an;alibi.
Government prosecutors accused Anwar, 60, of sodomizing his 23-year-old male aide, Saiful Bukhari Azlan, on June 26 in a condominium in Kuala;Lumpur. I am not;guilty.
After the charge was read in the courtroom full of opposition activists, Anwar said, “This is a treacherous and malicious accusation. It is not clear why Saiful was not charged even though Anwar was accused of committing consensual anal sex.”
The alleged sodomy came to light after Saiful made a complaint to the police on June 28.
Sodomy is illegal even between consenting adults in this Muslim-majority nation and punishable by up to 20 years in;prison. Saiful is currently under police;protection. “Clearly it is a political;persecution.
“If it is consensual, why am I the only one charged?” Anwar said. 10 to determine whether the case should be transferred to a higher;court.”
The court said Anwar could remain free on bail pending a hearing on Sept. The riot police, backed by trucks mounted with water cannons, stood;by.
As he walked out of the court, scores of supporters gathered outside clapped and shouted “Reformasi!” - Anwar's slogan calling for political reform. Abdullah and other government leaders insisted there was no conspiracy against;Anwar.
Anwar accused Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of orchestrating the prosecution to roll back inroads made by Anwar's three-party opposition alliance in general elections in March.”
Abdullah's governing coalition has only a 30-seat majority in Parliament and has been troubled by Anwar's assertions that he can persuade enough lawmakers to switch sides to bring down the government by Sept.
Anwar said, “It is the dirty politics of a man who has lost support and very soon will lose;power.
By being free on bail, Anwar is free to campaign in a special election on Aug.;16.
Anwar is expected to win easily in the district, which has been his stronghold since the early 1980s, including nearly two decades when he was in the government.
Anwar is expected to win easily in the district, which has been his stronghold since the early 1980s, including nearly two decades when he was in the government. He was removed in 1998 as the deputy prime minister and imprisoned over accusations that he sodomized his driver and abused his power to cover up the;offense.
A court quashed the sodomy conviction and freed him in 2004, but a corruption conviction barred him from office until April 2008. Anwar denied the charges and has waited since then to re-enter;Parliament.
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