Anwar withdraws application to disqualify prosecutor

By suaraKeAdilan English Team | Rabu, 25 Februari 2009

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim withdrew his application to disqualify chief prosecutor Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden from acting in his sodomy trial, after the latter submitted an affidavit saying he had never seen certain investigation papers that could mar his handling of the case.

Anwar’s lawyer Sulaiman Abdullah had initially feared Mohd Yusof might be involved in his client’s “black eye” case that took place 11 years ago.

Sulaiman had also wanted the court to disqualify Mohd Yusof from handling the government’s appeal against the Sessions Court’s decision to hear the sodomy trial, instead of transferring it to the Hight Court as demanded by the prosecution.

With Sulaiman’s withdrawal of the applications this morning, the High Court will proceeded to hear the appeal.

Anwar, who is also Permatang Pauh MP, was charged with sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, at the Desa Damansara condominium on June 26, 2008. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in jail.

Anwar is currently free on a personal bond of RM20,000.