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