Anwar marks 4th anniversary in jail

Anwar marks 4th anniversary in jail

MALAYSIA: Jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim marked his
fourth anniversary behind bars on Monday as police threw tight
cordons around his home and prison to prevent any demonstrations
by his supporters.

Anwar was due for possible release on Monday after having
served two-thirds of a six-year sentence for corruption, because
prisoners are entitled to have their sentences cut by one-third
for good behavior.

Anwar faces another nine-year sentence for sodomy, but that is
under appeal, and he has applied for bail and a stay of execution
of the sentence until the appeal is decided.

His wife, Azizah Ismail, and his lawyer, Sankara Nair, said
however they had little hope that he would be freed. --AFP

EU beefs up sanctions on Myanmar

LUXEMBOURG: European Union (EU) foreign ministers agreed on
Monday to extend and beef up sanctions against military-ruled
Myanmar for another year.

The ministers also decided to extend the list of people
subject to a visa black list and freezing of assets.

The ministers also agreed to strengthen the arms embargo, on
or before Oct. 29, unless ministers decide otherwise.

The EU in October 1996 banned all contacts with members of the
Myanmar junta and later imposed an arms embargo and economic
sanctions, including a freeze on assets held in EU countries by
members of the regime.

EU and U.S. sanctions also include investment bans and
restrictions on lending to Myanmar by international financial
bodies that have contributed to a marked deterioration in the
country's economy.

The latest 12-month EU sanctions package was due to expire on
April 29. --AFP