Malaysia top court keeps Anwar sodomy trial alive

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia's highest court refused Tuesday to strike out a sodomy charge against Anwar Ibrahim, paving the way for the opposition leader's trial to resume next week. Anwar claims the charge was fabricated by Prime Minister Najib Razak's administration to undermine Malaysia's opposition alliance, which hopes to win power in national elections scheduled to be held by 2013. Najib has denied conspiring against Anwar. Anwar could be jailed for up to 20 years if he is convicted of sodomizing a male former aide. A lengthy sentence could end the career of the politician whom the opposition wants to replace Najib as the leader of this Muslim-majority nation. A three-judge panel in the Federal Court on Tuesday rejected Anwar's application for the charge to be dropped, said Anwar's lawyer, Sankara Nair. Trial hearings began in the High Court in February with testimony from Anwar's 24-year-old former aide, who alleged that Anwar forced him to have anal sex at a condominium in June 2008. The trial was since adjourned until May 10. Anwar, a 62-year-old married man with six children, has insisted the charge is baseless because a hospital medical report found no evidence of anal penetration on his accuser. However, the Federal Court ruled that a full trial would be needed to decide the matter. "We are utterly disappointed," Nair said. "No penetration, there should be no trial." It is the second time that Anwar is accused of sodomy. In 1998, he lost his post as deputy prime minister and spent six years in jail on convictions for sodomy and abuse of power. After being freed in 2004 when a court overturned the sodomy conviction, Anwar led a three-party opposition alliance to major gains in elections two years ago. — AP