Jailed ex-deputy leader Anwar Ibrahim yesterday demanded that two of three judges assigned to hear his final appeal against a sodomy conviction step down from the case because they had shown bias against him or were too inexperienced.
The demand delayed the start of the appeal, Anwar's final chance at winning his freedom in a court battle that is now in its sixth year.
Anwar maintains the sodomy case was fabricated by political enemies shortly after his 1998 ouster as deputy prime minister to prevent him from challenging then-leader Mahathir Mohamad -- a charge the government denied although the US consider Anwar a political prisoner.
Anwar was arrested after Mahathir released lurid details of alleged homosexual trysts between Anwar and his driver. Anwar was convicted at separate trials for corruption and sodomy -- a crime in mostly Muslim Malaysia -- and sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison. He has served the corruption sentence.
Anwar yesterday joked with supporters and chatted with his wife, opposition leader Azizah Ismail, before telling reporters he expected to lose the appeal because the judges would not give him a fair hearing.
"This is a facade of judicial independence," Anwar said. "It's a forgone conclusion. You can see it in the demeanor of the judges."
The three-judge panel in the Federal Court is deciding whether Anwar's sodomy trial was flawed -- as many rights groups and international observers believe. Anwar is also asking to be released on bail while the hearing proceeds.
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