Malaysians suffer legal setback

Wed, 18 Apr 2001 | Source: REUTERS

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Five opposition activists held under Malaysia's hard-hitting security laws suffered an early setback on Tuesday in efforts to secure their release.

Lawyers for the detained, among seven supporters of jailed former Malaysian finance minister Anwar Ibrahim arrested by police last week, failed to have the judge replaced and to have the men brought to court.

Defense lawyer Sivarasa Rasiah said those arrested should be present in court to allow their physical condition to be assessed, citing previous cases of torture against people detained under the Internal Security Act.

He also suggested High Court judge Augustine Paul disqualify himself from hearing applications for the detainees' release, saying the judge had sat in the case leading to Anwar's conviction for corruption in April 1999.

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