Thaindian News

Kuala Lumpur, Aug.7 (ANI): Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim , who was charged on Thursday with committing carnal intercourse with a male aide, has been released on a personal bond of RM 20, 0000 with no surety. Sessions Court Judge S M Komathy Suppiah granted the bail.
The bail was set even after Anwar pleaded his innocence to the charge in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court and called it “a malicious accusation.””
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Government prosecutors said Anwar sodomised his 23-year-old former aide on June 26 in a condominium in Kuala Lumpur.
Anwar claims the allegation is a government concoction aimed at destroying his political career and to prevent him from returning to Parliament through a by-election later this month.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has rejected Anwar’’s claim.
According to the New Strait Times, the four-man prosecution team, led by Solicitor General Datuk Idrus Harun, had proposed bail at RM20, 000 with one surety and asked for his passport to be surrendered.
Counsel for Anwar, Sulaiman Abdullah - who leads the nine-member defence team - however asked for a personal bond.
The alleged offence is said to have been committed against Mohammad Saiful Bukhari Azlan at Unit No 11-5-1 Desa Damansara Condominium at Bukit Damansara on June 26 between 3.01 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.
The charge under Section 377B of the Penal Code carries a jail term of between 6 years and 20 years. If convicted, he is also liable to whipping. (ANI)