Karpal: Sodomy trial unconstitutional

comments     Arfaeza A Aziz     Published     Updated

The sodomy trial Anwar Ibrahim ought to be "struck out" because the jailed former deputy premier was denied a fundamental opportunity to file a fresh notice of alibi, said his lawyer Karpal Singh.

The lawyer said the denial of the opportunity, which is stated the Criminal Procedure Code, breached Anwar's fundamental liberty as guaranteed by Article 5 of the Federal Constitution.

He said that trial judge Justice Arifin Jaka ( photo ) was wrong to conclude that Anwar was not entitled to give a fresh alibi notice in view of the substantial amendment to the charge.

He was submitting in the appeal by Anwar who sought to set aside Ariffin's decision on Aug 8, 2000 which sentenced him to nine years in jail for sodomising Azizan Abu Bakar, the former driver of Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail .

Anwar's co-accused, Indonesian Sukma Darmawan Sasmitaat Madja was also found guilty and sentenced to six years jail and four strokes of the rotan.

The appeal is being held before justices Pajan Singh Gill, Hashim Mohd Yusof and Richard Malanjum. If Anwar fails to obtain bail and set aside the conviction, he may have to remain in prison until 2009.

For the rest of this story and more, subscribe for only RM150 a year. If you're already a subscriber, please sign in.

Sign in Subscribe now


Malaysiakini
news and views that matter


Sign In