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Former Malaysian deputy PM Anwar Ibrahim accused of sodomy

Former Malaysian deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim is facing sodomy charges, police said on Saturday, sparking speculation that he might be arrested on the same charge that led to his imprisonment a decade ago.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 10:36 June 29, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Gulf News archive
  • Anwar, who reentered politics after being released and is now the de facto opposition leader, denied the allegations

Kuala Lumpur: Former Malaysian deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim is facing sodomy charges, police said on Saturday, sparking speculation that he might be arrested on the same charge that led to his imprisonment a decade ago.

Anwar, who reentered politics after being released and is now the de facto opposition leader, denied allegations that he sodomised an aide, calling them a "complete fabrication."

"This is clearly a desperate attempt by the ... regime to arrest the movement of the Malaysian people towards freedom, democracy and justice," the 60-year-old said.

Anwar's private assistant, Saiful Bahari, lodged the police complaint.

The government has denied that it is responsible for the accusation, saying there was no conspiracy "to cause (Anwar) trouble or harass him or raise such issues to undermine him."

Anwar said the complaint was a government conspiracy to prevent him from exposing the national police chief and the attorney general for their alleged role in having him accused of corruption and sodomy in 1998.

Anwar's lawyer said he has not been arrested. Police are currently investigating the accusation.

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