Anwar freed in sodomy case

KUALA LUMPUR: In a stunning climax to a two-year-old trial, a Malaysian court on Wednesday acquitted opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy charges, and admittedly the surprised former deputy premier immediately set his sights on pushing out the long-serving ruling coalition.

High court Judge Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah took just three minutes to deliver his most-awaited judgement to a packed court house finding him not guilty of sodomising 26-year-old Mohd Saiful Bukhari, his former aide.

A relieved 64-year-old opposition leader announced outside the court room that he intended to visit India and Turkey soon. Anwar said his surprise acquittal could be linked to government fears that a guilty ruling would have left PM Najib Razak's image tarnished abroad.

The verdict, which is likely to give a boost to opposition alliance ahead of the general elections, were followed by three small explosions outside the court where a tight security arrangement was in place. But the police blamed it on firecrackers.

A government statement said the judgement highlighted the free nature of the judiciary in the nation. Delivering the judgement, the judge said there were no corroborating evidence to support Saiful's testimony, citing unreliable DNA evidence. "The court cannot be 100% certain that DNA was not contaminated ," he said.

"And because it was a sexual offence, the court is reluctant to convict on uncorroborated evidence," he said.

However, there was no written judgement. Anwar's supporters shouted "Allahu Akbar" , or "God is great" after the judge finished reading the verdict. Anwar immediately hugged his children who were crying over the verdict . He also shook hands with the prosecutors.

"Thank God justice has prevailed," said a jubilant Anwar. "I have been vindicated . To be honest, I am a little surprised... My focus now will be at the coming elections ," Anwar said.

Anwar's lead counsel Karpal Singh said the court's decision was based on merit and should not be appealed. "This is very good win for Anwar ," he said.

The verdict comes ahead of elections that are due in 2013 but are widely expected to be called later this year.