The Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial today drew a packed court as the opposition leader and Permatang Pauh MP takes the stand to testify in a trial within a trial.

NONE The Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial today drew a packed court as the opposition leader and Permatang Pauh MP takes the stand to testify in a trial within a trial.

Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah allowed the defence’s application for a trial within a trial in Anwar’s sodomy trial.

The mini-trial is to enable the court to decide on a dispute over three controversial items - a mineral water bottle, a ‘Good Morning’ towel and a white toothbrush - which was recovered from Anwar's cell when he was detained overnight between July 16 and July 17, 2008.

azlan The trial within trial (voir dire) is where the judge conducts an inquiry into the admissibility of an item of evidence. Normally, this is done with confessions of the accused persons, but can be extended to the objects used as evidence.

Anwar was the first to take the stand, but his testimony is limited to his claim of unlawful arrest and on those three items which had been obtained “unfairly”.

Apart from Anwar, the defence called lawyer Sankara Nair, who was with the opposition leader when he was arrested by a team of balacava-clad police officers not far from his home.

As for the prosecution, they will have the arresting officers, including investigating officer DSP Jude Blacious Pereira, to testify.

The hearing is to kick off at 2.30pm.

LIVE REPORTS

1.20pm: Passes to get into the courtroom are all snapped up as soon as police open their counter.

Some members of the public and Anwar supporters are waiting outside the High Court at the Jalan Duta Court Complex to press their luck on getting into the courtroom.

Reporters queue up in front of the court.

2.06pm: Police officers open the courtroom's doors and reporters and the public file into court after going through security screening.

2.18pm: All members of the prosecution team led by solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden walks into the courtroom.

2.19pm: Defence lawyers Sankara Nair and Param Cumaraswamy arrive.

The public gallery is already full the brim.

2.22pm: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim arrives with wife, PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and eldest daughter, Lembah Pantai and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah.

2.25pm: Anwar banters with Yusof and Sankara, exchanging laughter.

2.26pm: Lead defence counsel Karpal Singh arrives with his son, Ram Karpal, who is also a member of the defence team.

2.28pm: PKR secretary-general and Machang MP Saifuddin Nasution is seen arguing with a police officer after he was asked to leave the packed court.

However, he squeezes into one of the front-row seats in the public gallery.

2.30pm: Court called into session with High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah presiding.

Anwar takes the stand...