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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Malaysia's Anwar in sodomy trial | Malaysia's Anwar in sodomy trial |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Malaysian opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, has appeared in court to face charges of sodomy for the second time in a decade. | The Malaysian opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, has appeared in court to face charges of sodomy for the second time in a decade. |
| Mr Anwar denounced the proceedings as the "machinations of a dirty, corrupt few" as he entered the courtroom in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. | Mr Anwar denounced the proceedings as the "machinations of a dirty, corrupt few" as he entered the courtroom in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. |
| He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. | He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. |
| Mr Anwar served six years after an earlier sodomy conviction, but led the opposition to election gains in 2008. | Mr Anwar served six years after an earlier sodomy conviction, but led the opposition to election gains in 2008. |
| The gains represented a major challenge to Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose coalition has held power for more than 50 years. | The gains represented a major challenge to Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose coalition has held power for more than 50 years. |
| 'Dirty tricks' | |
| Mr Anwar was accompanied by his wife and two daughters as he entered the courtroom. Dozens of his supporters shouted "reform, reform". | Mr Anwar was accompanied by his wife and two daughters as he entered the courtroom. Dozens of his supporters shouted "reform, reform". |
| The 62-year-old former deputy premier has consistently maintained the charges against him are a political conspiracy. | The 62-year-old former deputy premier has consistently maintained the charges against him are a political conspiracy. |
| The image of the country is severely damaged by their actions Anwar Ibrahim | |
| In an interview with the BBC before the trial began, Mr Anwar said: "I think from the very start we'll state our position and fight it out, and expose their nasty conspiracy. | |
| "We were committed to a reform agenda. We are committed to democratic ideals and some of us may have to pay the price. | |
| "The image of the country is severely damaged by their actions, and I think they should not underestimate the strength and wisdom of the Malaysian people." | |
| Government officials deny there is any plot against him. | Government officials deny there is any plot against him. |
| The sodomy allegations have been levelled by a 24-year-old former aide. | The sodomy allegations have been levelled by a 24-year-old former aide. |
| On Friday, the Federal Court upheld a lower court's ruling that Mr Anwar could not have access to medical evidence held by prosecutors. | |
| Mr Anwar's lawyer said the refusal had had "an emasculating effect in our preparation of the defence". | Mr Anwar's lawyer said the refusal had had "an emasculating effect in our preparation of the defence". |
| Rights groups have criticised the trial. | Rights groups have criticised the trial. |
| Amnesty International accused the government of using "the same old dirty tricks in an attempt to remove the opposition leader from politics". | Amnesty International accused the government of using "the same old dirty tricks in an attempt to remove the opposition leader from politics". |
| There were huge protests after Mr Anwar's first conviction for sodomy a decade ago. He was freed on appeal in 2004. | There were huge protests after Mr Anwar's first conviction for sodomy a decade ago. He was freed on appeal in 2004. |
| All homosexual acts are criminal in Malaysia. | All homosexual acts are criminal in Malaysia. |