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The controversial sodomy trial resumes today with the defence team expected to cross-examine Hospital Kuala Lumpur surgical specialist Dr Mohd Razali Ibrahim.

 

8.40am: Journalists waiting outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court in Jalan Duta Court Complex are allowed into the courtroom.

A plainclothes police officer is seen videotaping those going into the courtroom. He has been doing that over the past few days. There are about 70 people in the public gallery.

NONE The controversial sodomy trial is to resume today with the defence team cross-examining Hospital Kuala Lumpur surgical specialist Dr Mohd Razali Ibrahim.

Dr Mohd Razali had testified yesterday that the four cotton swab samples taken showed signs of semen.

The defence will be assisted by forensic expert Dr David Wells, an associate professor in criminology at the University of Melbourne, who arrived from Australia yesterday. Dr Wells is division head of clinical forensic medicine at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.

8.43am: The prosecution team led by solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden enters the courtroom.

9.07am: Anwar’s defence team arrives. Those already present are lawyers Param Cumaraswamy, Sankara Nair and Mohd Hanipa Maidin.

azlan 9.11am: The accused, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, arrives with his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Anwar, who is wearing a cream baju melayu , tells reporters that he will be going to Masjid Jamek in Kampung Baru for Friday prayers, and after that, along with other Pakatan Rakyat leaders, he intends to lead an anti-Israel march to the US Embassy. The police yesterday declared the gathering illegal and warned the public against participation.

“This is the only country in the world that requires a police permit to demonstrate against Israel,” Anwar said.

NONE 9.19am: Wheelchair-bound lead defence counsel Karpal Singh is wheeled into the courtroom. He appears locked, cocked and loaded for another day in the battle of wits.

9.25am: Anwar chats with Australian forensic expert Dr Wells. The opposition leader is also having a discussion with one of his lawyers, Mohd Hanipa Maidin - a PAS central committee member and the Islamic party’s legal adviser.

The court is yet to be called into session.

9.36am: Both prosecution and defence counsel are called to judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah's chambers. It is unclear what the meeting is about.

9.46am: After 10 minutes, both parties return to the courtroom.

9.54am: The court session starts with Mohamad Zabidin presiding.

Hospital Kuala Lumpur surgical specialist Dr Mohd Razali Ibrahim takes the witness stand, with lead prosecutor solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden asking the doctor a few questions.

azlan 9.55am: Dr Mohd Razali tells the court that  he examined complainant Saiful with sterilised equipment.

He says during the examination, there was no indication of anything else having been inserted into Saiful 's anus.

Dr Mohd Razali, to questions from lead prosecutor Mohd Yusof, also said the moisture found in Saiful’s perianal area could have been caused by some water-based material.

10.10am: Karpal Singh informs the court that the defence team filed a notice of motion today, supported by an affidavit, to obtain access to certain documents. The motion is to get further documentation on clinical notes, reports, materials and specimens.

He says the Federal Court has ruled the defence can apply for such documents at any stage of the trial, which is why the defence is doing so now.

Judge Mohamad Zabidin allows the cross-examination of Mohd Razali to be postponed to July 14.

However, the court will hear Karpal's application on June 18. Today's court hearing ends.