leader Anwar Ibrahim Sentenced to five years jail
Malaysia’s court of appeal ruled that Anwar had anal intercourse with his male aide in 2008.
Anwar was sentenced to five years in jail but freed pending appeal.
The 66-year-old veteran politician, who was cleared of sodomy in 2012, said the charge was a political ploy intended to damage his reputation.
“There is absolutely no case for them, this is clearly seen to be political,” Anwar said.
But a statement released by the government said the judiciary was “independent” and that the verdict was reached in a “balanced and objective manner”.
“This is a case between two individuals and is a matter for the courts, not the government,” a spokesman said.
The ruling sparked uproar in the courtroom, which was filled with Anwar’s opposition colleagues and family.
About 150 of his supporters demonstrated outside the court after hearing the announcement.
Anwar bitterly rebuked the judges after the ruling.
“It is a travesty of justice, I would have thought you would have some courage,” he told the panel.
Anwar’s lawyers say they will appeal against the ruling at the country’s highest court and ask for a stay of the sentence.
The judgement could affect his plans to contest a key state by-election this month.
Anwar has called the latest sodomy saga a desperate attempt by a corrupt and fearful ruling regime to halt the opposition’s advance.
“This trial was all about knocking Anwar Ibrahim out of politics and the government was prepared to do whatever it took to make that happen,” Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.
It is not the first time the former deputy premier has faced sodomy charges.
In 1998 Anwar was sacked from the number two post in the ruling party by then-ruling strongman Mahathir Mohamad, and jailed on sodomy and corruption charges.
The sodomy charge was later overturned, and Anwar was released from prison in 2004 to take over the opposition.
Sodomy is illegal in Malaysia and punishable by up to 20 years in jail.
leader Anwar Ibrahim Sentenced to five years jail