Mr Anwar alleges there is a political conspiracy against him The trial for sodomy of Malaysia's opposition leader has been further delayed following the judge's refusal to withdraw from hearing the case. Anwar Ibrahim's defence argued Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah was too biased to give their client a fair trial. The court briefly heard the judge refuse to stand down, before the case was adjourned for the defence to prepare an appeal against the decision. The trial of Mr Anwar has been denounced by his supporters as a sham. "I cannot see how a reasonable person will view my conduct as biased," said the High Court judge. "I don't see any reason to recuse myself from this case. If I do this I will be running away from my duty as a judge," he said of the demand to step back from the case. Conspiracy? The defence had argued he had displayed bias in allowing earlier proceedings described as in camera to be photographed and reported by the local press. Mr Anwar says he is only on trial for political reasons, and in an interview with BBC News before the trial, he referred to the allegations as a "nasty conspiracy". On Wednesday Malaysia's Court of Appeal dismissed a motion from Mr Anwar that the sodomy charge was part of a political conspiracy against him. Malaysia's appeals court ruled that the trial would continue on the grounds that he "had not shown that the charge against him was oppressive and an abuse of court". The case, now delayed until 25 March, is being closely watched overseas. ANWAR: CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE 1993 to 1998 - Deputy Prime Minister, under Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad 1999 - Jailed for abuse of power, sparking huge street protests 2000 - Found guilty of sodomy with his wife's driver 2004 - Supreme Court overturns the sodomy conviction, freeing him from jail. He quickly emerges as the de facto opposition leader March 2008 - ruling coalition narrowly wins general election, but with its worst results in 50 years. The opposition makes unprecedented gains Aug 2008 - Anwar charged with sodomy for a second time, but despite this is soon voted in as an MP Feb 2009 - Second trial for sodomy starts

Profile: Anwar Ibrahim Government supporters had gathered in front of the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to protest against Australian calls for the trial to be dropped. A group of 50 Australian MPs had said that observers "find it difficult to believe that a leading opposition voice could be charged with sodomy a second time" and noted the allegations came after Mr Anwar made major gains in 2008 polls. Homosexual acts are illegal in Malaysia and Mr Anwar faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The charismatic opposition leader - who was deputy prime minister until his sudden sacking in 1998 - served six years after an earlier conviction for sodomy, which was subsequently overturned on appeal. After his release, he led the opposition to election gains in 2008.



Bookmark with: Delicious

Digg

reddit

Facebook

StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version