April 6 verdict set for Anwar

April 6 verdict set for Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): The judge in the corruption trial of fired Malaysian finance minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday he would give his verdict on April 6, ignoring a move by the defense to throw him off the case.

In the latest twist in the 73-day trial, High Court judge Augustine Paul warned Anwar's lawyers they could be held in contempt of court for refusing to sum up the case.

The defense previously said it would not close, or make final submissions, on the case until Augustine hears its application to dismiss him.

But Augustine, who has already ordered one of Anwar's nine lawyers jailed in November for suggesting the prosecution framed evidence against Anwar, said it was improper for him to act on a motion brought against himself.

The trial, at the heart of political tension in Malaysia, began in November and has examined four counts of corruption which allege Anwar directed police to force two people to retract accusations that he committed sodomy and adultery.