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"I don't think the defense is difficult at all. If they go by the facts of the law, there can not be a conviction," said Anwar, adding that state prosecutors won't be able present a witness when the trial opens on Tuesday and by now medical evidence is "conclusively" in his favor.
The 63-year-old politician is being accused by his young male aide of sodomy, a crime that can lead to 20 years in prison in Malaysia. It is the second time this de-facto Malaysian opposition leader faces sodomy charges. He was convicted once in 1999 but was released from prison four years later after the Federal Court overturned the conviction upon hearing his appeal.
At a meeting with his "old friend"-- deposed former Philippine president Joseph Estrada, Anwar told reporters that he felt he had not given fair treatment as a sexual assault case defendant and authorities seem to want to rush the case.
"This is probably my last overseas trip and maybe the last meeting with any foreign friend in a foreign country," Anwar said. "There is no basis but they just want to proceed. Yesterday the Federal Court rejected our application for documents, a right of the defendant required by the law. So how would you deal with it?"
Anwar was in town for a lecture at the University of the Philippines College of Law. He is scheduled to return to Kuala Lumpur Saturday afternoon. Anwar said he is also a family friend of late former Philippine president Corazon Aquino and this time was able to meet her son Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino. Both Estrada and Aquino are running for presidency in this May's general elections.
| Editor: Lin Liyu |
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