KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 - International human rights group Amnesty International today urged the government to withdraw what it called are politically motivated sodomy charges against Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The Malaysian authorities have resorted to the same old dirty tricks in an attempt to remove the opposition leader from politics,” said Sam Zarifi, the Asia-Pacific director of Amnesty International in a statement.
“Malaysia’s judiciary should throw out these charges," he added.
Anwar was first charged and convicted for the same offence in 1999 but the verdict was overturned by the Federal Court in 2004.
Upon his conviction then, Anwar was declared as prisoner of conscience by Amnesty. In June 2008 Anwar was arrested for allegedly sodomising his former aide Saiful Azlan Bukhari at a condominium in Damansara Heights.
"The criminal charge of sodomy against Anwar, under Section 377B of the Penal Code, is at odds with international human rights standards," added Zarifi.
The group also raised its concern over the prosecution's refusal to hand over key evidence to Anwar ahead of the trial next week.
"Anwar’s case has rightly raised doubts among the international community and investors about Malaysia’s commitment to justice and the rule of law,” said Zarifi.
“The court’s decision to allow the prosecution to withhold key evidence sets a dangerous precedent for criminal cases in Malaysia,” he added referring to the Federal Court ruling on Jan 29.
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