Dramatic ruling frees Anwar from jail

Dramatic ruling frees Anwar from jail

Agencies, Putrajaya, Malaysia

Jailed former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim left court a free man after Malaysia's top court overturned his sodomy conviction on Thursday -- six years to the day after his removal from office triggered the country's worst political crisis.

A Federal Court panel ruled 2-1 to reverse the conviction against Anwar, once considered the heir apparent of his mentor- turned-nemesis, then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. But Mahathir fired him, touching off widespread political turmoil.

Mahathir's successor, Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Badawi, had been expected to take a softer line toward Anwar and put the divisive issue behind Malaysia after he took office last year.

Anwar immediately vowed to continue his campaign for political reform.

Speaking later to a crowd of more than 1,000 people outside his house, Anwar condemned the "dirty political conspiracy by the powers that be" for his imprisonment.

He added, "If it was Dr. Mahathir, I would have been finished off." Earlier, in his first remarks after the judges ordered him freed, Anwar insisted that he bore no ill will toward Mahathir, who retired 10 months ago.

"I bear no malice against him. Let him retire," Anwar said. "I feel vindicated." But the combative Mahathir said he was "mildly surprised" by the ruling. "I'm not going to lose any sleep," he said. "I still believe that he's guilty. My conscience is clear."

Anwar is expected to travel to Germany for surgery to treat a near-crippling back injury, partly blamed on a beating by Malaysia's then police chief following his arrest in 1998 after leading a massive anti-Mahathir demonstration.

Judge Abdul Hamid Mohamad read out the verdict over one and a half hours. As it became apparent that Anwar, 57, would be freed, the prisoner -- wearing a neck brace and confined to a wheelchair -- exchanged excited glances with family members.

"We are not prepared to uphold the conviction," Abdul Hamid said. "We therefore allow this appeal and set aside the conviction and the sentence."

He added that the conviction was flawed because the chief prosecution witness, Azizan Abubakar, had repeatedly changed the dates that he claimed Anwar had had sex with him. Azizan had been the driver for Anwar's wife.

Abdullah declared that he doubted Anwar's release would affect political stability, adding that Anwar was free to go anywhere he liked. "I will meet him if he wants to see me. What's wrong with that?" Abdullah said.

Anwar had been expected to be in prison for another five years. A separate six-year corruption sentence ran out last year after it was reduced for good behavior.

Releasing Anwar ends a long international embarrassment for Malaysia in which the United States and international human rights groups contended he was a political prisoner.

The U.S. Embassy said in a statement that it was "gratifying to see that justice has now been served ..."

Indonesia hailed the "independent" judiciary process. "What is important is to acknowledge its reflection of the independence of the judiciary, a key feature of democratic government in today's Southeast Asia," Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

He added, "I am sure that many of Anwar Ibrahim's friends in Indonesia welcome his release."