KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was formally charged Thursday with committing sodomy, an accusation the politician called "malicious."

Mr. Anwar, who heads an alliance of opposition parties that is threatening to topple Malaysia's National Front government, pleaded not guilty in a Kuala Lumpur court and was freed on bail. Several hundred supporters gathered outside, restrained by a large police contingent.

Sodomy...