Anwar slams court for rejecting his request for evidence in sodomy case

MANILA—Malaysia’s former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday slammed a decision of the federal court that rejected his appeal for access to evidence against charges of sodomy filed against him. “[The constitution dictates that] you must get relevant documents for the defense. I have not had a fair trial thus far," Anwar lamented on Saturday in a talk with reporters at the Manila Polo Club. Anwar, who has asked for access to CCTV footage of the alleged act, as well as results of DNA tests, questioned the veracity of police reports on the case submitted to him for his defense. “In every trial, it is your right to have police reports. I had to wait six months to see [it]. What happened between the time the report was made to the time the report was given to me? They might [have] made adjustments," Anwar said. Anwar, who has been slapped with sodomy charges involving his 24-year-old male aide in 2008, is due to face trial on February 2. Anwar criticized the prosecution for lacking a prima facie case, accusing them of “just wanting to proceed" with the charges to finally convict him. Anwar, who led Malaysia’s opposition to an unprecedented victory in 2008, is seen as a strong threat to the long prevailing administration. If convicted, Anwar faces up to 20 years in jail. Despite this, Anwar remains confident that his case will prevail. “I do not feel the defense is in difficult shape at all, because this is a sexual assault case. Medical evidence is... in our favor. Even the government noted no penetration. So how do you then charge? They cannot have a conviction," Anwar said. Even then, Anwar warned against a possible people uprising. “Do not underestimate the people’s prayers and resolve. People are getting enraged. This is a mockery of justice and [an] insult to people’s intelligence," Anwar said, adding, “We have no time to rest. We have rested long enough. We will continue."—Nikka Corsino/JV, GMANews.TV