ANWAR SODOMY TRIAL II: TWO HOSPITAL REPORT "NO SIGN OF PENETRATION"

Come 1 July, yet again opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim will stand trial for sodomy. This time, Anwar, 61, is accused by Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, who is expected to take the stand and testify against Anwar. In Malaysia, sodomy, even between consenting adults, is illegal and carries a penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.

Anwar indicated he is ready to meet his accuser and questioned if Saiful is ready with all the evidence against him, particularly the medical evidence. Anwar expected that false evidence would be introduced during the trial in a bid to put him in jail and end his political career.

“It’s a convenient way for Umno to get rid of me to settle their political problem,” he said. “The worst-case scenario is to deny me bail and have a quick conviction,” he told AFP ahead of his second sodomy trial.

Meanwhile, Anwar Ibrahim’s lawyers have revealed that a medical report prepared by Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) has disclosed that was no evidence of penetration on Saiful. The medical report was dated July 13, 2008 and was endorsed by three specialists from the government hospital. Part of the report stated: “No conclusive clinical findings suggestive of penetration to the anus and no significant defensive wound on the body of the patient (Mohd Saiful)”.

The medical report from HKL tallies with another medical report from Hospital Pusrawi which also said there was no sign of anal penetration following a physical examination of Saiful. Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid of Pusrawi, who had examined Saiful, later went into hiding in fear that his life was in danger.

“The most vital evidence in a rape or sodomy charge is to show proof of penetration,” said Anwar’s lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad Amer also said that the prosecution has yet to supply the defence with documents and other materials linked to the case.

“The defence has asked for the original copy of the CCTV recording from the Desa Damansara condominium, which is vital to the defence of Anwar. These, however, have yet to be provided,” said Amer.

“We were only given some blurred photographs and one video recording,” he said, adding that the defence had also requested for Saiful’s DNA samples to be sent in for independent testing.

In a separate action, Anwar’s lawyers have filed an application to quash the sodomy charges which is to be heard on June 22. A copy of the HKL medical report was attached to the affidavit to strike out the sodomy charges.