Malaysian opposition leader Anwar guilty in sodomy case
The nation’s highest court announced its decision in Anwar’s appeal against the conviction handed down last March.
The nation’s highest court announced its decision in Anwar’s appeal against the conviction handed down last March.
If the appeal to the Federal Court fails, Anwar, 67, will be jailed for sodomy for the second time in his volatile political career and might not emerge from prison until the age of 72.
The opposition calls the case part of a long-running campaign by the government to harass Anwar, a former top official who was ousted in the late 1990s and later helped unite a previously divided and hapless opposition into a formidable force.
With Anwar leading, the three-party opposition alliance has threatened to unseat the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), one of the world’s longest-ruling governments.
But the alliance is flirting with possible break-up over deep political and personality differences, and Anwar’s removal could sow further disarray.
“I am cautiously optimistic, based on the facts, the law and the evidence,” Anwar said last week of the coming ruling.