Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, who has accused the government of political persecution, has asked the High Court to strike out a sodomy charge ahead of next month’s July 1-24 hearing.
The reform icon was charged with sodomising his former staff on June 26 last year, but has pleaded not guilty, counter-accusing Prime Minister Najib Razak of fabricating evidence to tarnish his political credibility.
Although, nearly a year has passed, the Umno-BN government has refused to provide
him with key information on the charges, including even the most basic police report.
Last week, Anwar was forced to apply for a court order to get the documents from the prosecution so that his lawyers could prepare his defence.
These included original CCTV recordings alleged to have been taken at Desa Damansara Condominium in Bukit Damansara between June 25 to 27, 2008, DNA samples, statements from witnesses including the complainant, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, police statements and several other documents.
So far, the court has not replied although there are only two weeks left before the trial begins.
The latest application to strike out the case is probably the only way left to force a reaction from the government. The High Court will hear the latest application on Monday.
Like Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi, Anwar is a democracy icon and has been persecuted for challenging the corrupt Umno-BN regime now led by Najib. Like the Burmese junta, Najib has been increasingly resorting to police crackdowns and sham trials to cling to power.
The U.S. State Department has gone on record to say that they believe the latest sodomy charge against Anwar was fabricated by his political foes to tarnish his career.
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