KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 -- The sodomy trial of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim entered its fourth day today but was postponed after the defence team applied for Justice Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah to recuse himself from hearing the case.
(Photo) A supporter of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim holds a banner that says 'Justice for Anwar' during a protest at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 05 February 2010. Anwar faced his 24-year old male accuser, Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan in court on in a trial for sodomy on 05 February 2010.
The defence team made the application because it was not satisfied with the presiding judge's decision in declining to cite Malay daily Utusan Malaysia for contempt of court in the ongoing trial.
Anwar, 63, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor and Permatang Pauh member of parliament, is charged with sodomising Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan at Unit 11-5-1 Desa Damansara Condominium, Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara, between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.
He is charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code and faces up to 20 years in jail and whipping upon conviction.
The trial takes place 18 months after Anwar was first charged in August 2008.
Mohd Saiful, 25, who is Anwar's former aide, was the first witness to take the stand when the trial started in the High Court on Wednesday.
BERNAMA
