Anwar defense seeks PM witness

Anwar defense seeks PM witness

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): A Malaysian judge said on Thursday that Anwar Ibrahim's defense would have to show that Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad helped frame his ex-deputy before he would be called to testify in Anwar's sex trial.

The judge was referring to a defense request that Mahathir be called as a witness in the 10-month trial that has split Malaysia's biggest party and galvanized the opposition.

Anwar, who was dismissed in 1998 and is serving a six-year jail sentence for corruption, is standing trial on one count of sodomy which carries a maximum punishment of 20 years in jail and whipping. He also faces four other sodomy counts and one corruption charge.

Anwar's lawyer Karpal Singh said Mahathir shifted his stance towards Anwar after he sacked his former protege, proving there was a conspiracy against the former deputy prime minister.