Malaysian opposition leader acquitted of sodomy

Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of Malaysia’s main opposition party, has been acquitted of sodomy after a two-year trial. Judge Zabidin Mohamad Diah dismissed the accusation after determining the DNA evidence collected in the case was unreliable. The charge against the former deputy prime minster arose in 2008, following elections in which he led the opposition to major gains. Mr. Anwar, as leader of the opposition coalition is widely held to be the main threat to the current government’s 50-year rule. Mr. Anwar previously spent six years in prison on separate charges of corruption and sodomy after a fallout with former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohammad. The government is calling his most recent acquittal proof of the independence of Malaysia’s judiciary.

BBC News