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         Malaysia: Anwar Ibrahim Back in Court for Sodomy Ruling Appeal

   A Malaysian court has begun hearing a government appeal against the
   sodomy acquittal of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
   A high court in 2012 found Anwar not guilty of having sex with a man
   who was then his aide, ruling DNA evidence was contaminated.
   Sodomy is punishable by up to 20 years in prison under a colonial-era
   law in Malaysia.
   The 66-year-old former deputy prime minister says the charges are an
   attempt by the government to ruin his political career.
   It is not clear whether a verdict will be delivered before March 23,
   when Anwar will contest a seat in by-elections.
   Many expect the veteran politician to win the seat, which would likely
   allow him to run Selangor, the country`s most populous state.
   Anwar says fraud by Prime Minister Najib Razak`s ruling National Front
   coalition kept his Pakatan Rakyat alliance from winning last year`s
   election.
   The government disputes the charge and says it is not pursuing the
   sodomy charges against Anwar for political reasons.
   Thursday`s appeal hearing had been delayed many times, due to Anwar`s
   insistence that the government`s lawyer was biased against him.
   Many rights groups agree with Anwar that the charges are politically
   motivated. In a statement Thursday, Human Rights Watch said Thursday`s
   hearing makes it clear the government is "determined to remove Anwar
   from the political scene by hook or by crook."
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/malaysia-anwar-ibrahim-back-in-court-
   for-sodomy-ruling-appeal/1865344.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/malaysia-anwar-ibrahim-back-in-court-for-sodomy-ruling-appeal/1865344.html