The 62-year-old Anwar, who survived a similar sodomy allegation in 1998, denies the latest charge. He insists it is a plot by Prime Minister Najib Razak’s administration to cripple his opposition coalition after it made unprecedented gains in March 2008 general elections.
High Court Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah ruled that there was no basis for the defense to obtain statements that Anwar’s former aide, Saiful Bukhari Azlan, made to police in 2008 — statements that Anwar’s team said would show Saiful has changed his story.
Najib has denied any conspiracy but has acknowledged meeting Saiful two days before he was allegedly sodomized.
Najib says Saiful complained that he has been sodomized by Anwar on previous occasions. Najib, who at the time was deputy prime minister, says he offered no advice.
