Anwar to skip court hearing

Anwar to skip court hearing

MALAYSIA: Doctors have instructed Malaysia's imprisoned former deputy leader Anwar Ibrahim not to attend court proceedings connected to his corruption conviction, because his long-standing back injury has worsened, Anwar's lawyer said on Monday.

Anwar has been hospitalized for nearly a month after developing neurological complications due to the injury he claims was caused in part by a 1998 police beating.

The Federal Court, Malaysia's highest court, is scheduled to begin a hearing on Tuesday to review its own verdict on Anwar's appeal against a corruption conviction.

The court in July 2002 upheld Anwar's conviction and six-year prison sentence on charges that he abused his political power to cover up allegations implicating him in a sex scandal.

Anwar later filed an application seeking a review of the Federal Court verdict, which means the court has to consider whether it was wrong to reject Anwar's appeal against the conviction. --AP