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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Anwar Ibrahim charged with sodomy | Anwar Ibrahim charged with sodomy |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been formally charged with sodomising a former male aide. | Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been formally charged with sodomising a former male aide. |
| Appearing in court in Kuala Lumpur, Mr Anwar pleaded not guilty and called the accusation "malicious". | Appearing in court in Kuala Lumpur, Mr Anwar pleaded not guilty and called the accusation "malicious". |
| He says the allegations are politically motivated. The 60-year-old was jailed after facing similar accusations 10 years ago. | He says the allegations are politically motivated. The 60-year-old was jailed after facing similar accusations 10 years ago. |
| Since his release he has been active in politics but, until recently, was not able to officially run in elections. | Since his release he has been active in politics but, until recently, was not able to officially run in elections. |
| Mr Anwar arrived at the main court in Kuala Lumpur amid chaotic scenes. | Mr Anwar arrived at the main court in Kuala Lumpur amid chaotic scenes. |
| Dozens of supporters gathered as he emerged from his car - some shouting "reformasi", the slogan of the movement he founded. | Dozens of supporters gathered as he emerged from his car - some shouting "reformasi", the slogan of the movement he founded. |
| Revival | Revival |
| In court, Mr Anwar was charged with "carnal intercourse against the order of nature". | In court, Mr Anwar was charged with "carnal intercourse against the order of nature". |
| Sodomy is illegal in Malaysia and he could face up to 20 years in jail if convicted. | Sodomy is illegal in Malaysia and he could face up to 20 years in jail if convicted. |
| After Thursday's hearing, he was released on bail. | After Thursday's hearing, he was released on bail. |
| Mr Anwar led the new opposition coalition to strong gains in a general election earlier this year. He says the claims are aimed at derailing his political revival. | Mr Anwar led the new opposition coalition to strong gains in a general election earlier this year. He says the claims are aimed at derailing his political revival. |
| The accusation is the same as the one he faced in 1998 - after he had been sacked as deputy prime minister. | The accusation is the same as the one he faced in 1998 - after he had been sacked as deputy prime minister. |
| He was convicted and served six years before the guilty verdict was overturned. | He was convicted and served six years before the guilty verdict was overturned. |
| The BBC's Robin Brant in Kuala Lumpur says a recent opinion poll suggests that few Malaysians believe Mr Anwar committed the crime. | The BBC's Robin Brant in Kuala Lumpur says a recent opinion poll suggests that few Malaysians believe Mr Anwar committed the crime. |
| Mr Anwar has accused Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi of orchestrating a campaign against him - Mr Abdullah has denied this. | Mr Anwar has accused Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi of orchestrating a campaign against him - Mr Abdullah has denied this. |
| The charge was made just as Mr Anwar prepared to fight for a seat in parliament, after a ban on his seeking public office expired. | The charge was made just as Mr Anwar prepared to fight for a seat in parliament, after a ban on his seeking public office expired. |
| In a statement, US-based group Human Rights Watch called on the Malaysian government to withdraw the charges. | |
| "Several instances of misconduct" during the investigation showed the charges were "aimed at preventing Anwar from leading a new government", the group said in a statement. |