Office of Anwar's lawyer burgled, safe forced open

Office of Anwar's lawyer burgled, safe forced open

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): One of the lawyers defending Malaysia's
ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday his office
had been broken into overnight with a safe containing
confidential trial documents forced open.

"The safe was wrenched open. I do not know what is missing
until I go through the documents," Pawanceek Marican told AFP. "I
am shocked... how they forced open this big iron safe. I am
going to make a police report."

Police confirmed they were investigating the incident and
Pawancheek said he has been asked to make reports on the burglary
and missing documents.

"The police are here and dusting for fingerprints," the lawyer
said. "They seem quite concerned."

Pawancheek said he discovered the break-in when he arrived at
the office, which is located on the second floor of a three-
story building on the eastern outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

"They entered through the front wooden door and a metal
grill," he said. "I have not checked as to what is missing.

Documents related to Anwar's trial were in the safe. I do not
know if they are missing... I am waiting for the police."

Pawancheek is one of eight lawyers defending Anwar on charges
of corruption and also acts as spokesman for the former deputy
prime minister, who was dismissed on Sept. 2 and arrested two and
a half weeks later after leading a massive protest calling for
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to step down.

Anwar's trial, which started on Nov. 2, went into recess this
week during the annual summit of APEC leaders and is scheduled to
resume next week.