Malay politician cleared of sodomy

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was today acquitted of sodomy charges after a two-year trial which he claimed was politically motivated.

Mr Anwar, 64, was charged in 2008 with having sex with a male former aide and faced up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. But the judge said DNA evidence submitted by the prosecution was unreliable and discharged the case. After the verdict Mr Anwar said: "Thank God justice has prevailed - I have been vindicated." He added that he was "pleasantly shocked" but remained convinced the case was politically motivated. "To assume the judiciary is independent is a bit far-fetched," he said.

More than 5,000 supporters outside court cheered. Mr Anwar's wife and children wept and hugged him.

Mr Anwar was imprisoned for nine years after being ousted as deputy prime minister in 1998 on charges of sodomising his former family driver, and abusing his power. The verdict was reversed in 2004. He was rearrested in 2008. Sodomy, even consensual, is illegal in Muslim-majority Malaysia but few are prosecuted.