07/17/2008, 00.00
MALAYSIA
Send to a friend

Anwar Ibrahim released, but sodomy charges stand

Remanded in police custody for 24 hours, at the end of interrogation, judges released him on police bail. The opposition warns of a serious “democratic crises” in the country.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Anwar Ibrahim was provisionally released this morning, at 9.45 local time, and has left police headquarters.   “Anwar has left the building – confirmed his lawyer – from a secondary exit he got into his wife’s car and has gone home”.

The former deputy prime minister, who is accused of sodomy by a collaborator, has already spent six years in prison; yesterday officers arrested him and took him from his home from prison. He was granted a provisional release this morning, but will have to face charges on August 18th, and is on police bail should further charges be laid.  A police official explained “there is no intention to remand him further. Statements were taken and we will have to decide on next course of action”.

Even if he was detained less than 24 hours, Anwar Ibrahim’s latest arrest has sparked contention across the country: according to Tian Chua, information officer for the People’s Justice Party (the party founded by the opposition leader, ed), this arrest served to “set the stage for a political showdown between the Government and Anwar” and she believes the allegations are a conspiracy “to prevent him and the Opposition from seizing power”. Police have been mobilised on the streets and have had joint exercises with the military, a “serious and meaningful” fact according to the opposition: “all these are signs towards a closing up of the democratic space” concludes Tian Chua.

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
"We are optimistic," says Paul Bhatti as Rimsha Masih's bail hearing postponed to Friday
03/09/2012
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim again under arrest
16/07/2008
Kuala Lumpur, sodomy charges upheld against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim
10/02/2015
Anwar Ibrahim, accused of sodomy, fears for his life and political career
30/06/2008
Socks with the word Allah spark outrage among Muslims
22/03/2024 16:27


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”