Anwar Ibrahim said his acquittal in the Sodomy II trial was a “pleasant surprise” but stressed that the judicial system was fundamentally flawed.
Speaking to reporters after the verdict was read out, Anwar said trial judge Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah had initially called accuser Saiful Bukhari Azlan a truthful witness.
He explained that his defence team later brought international experts to rebut the prosecution’s case and succeeded in pointing out the shortcomings in the testimonies of doctors and other expert prosecution witnesses.
“There was no way they can proceed (in proving my guilt). That’s what (the judge) said in a short judgment,” said Anwar.
Asked if his acquittal proves that the judiciary was independent, Anwar’s replied was a mixed bag.
“I must concede the judge given some space to act slightly independent, but the fact remains that the system is fundamentally flaw,” he said.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, Anwar said that there was “some courage” shown by the judge.
Anwar has been highly critical of the conduct of the presiding judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah over the admission of crucial defence evidence in deciding that there was a prima facie case.
Azizah: We're not out of the woods yet
His legal team had also previously complained that the prosecution had withheld certain evidence from the defence.
Meanwhile, Anwar’s wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said her husband was still not safe from further prosecution because he is implicated in a sex video scandal.
The sex video scandal is unveiled by the ‘Datuk T’ trio - Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, Rahim Thamby Chik and Shuib Lazim - and depicts a person who resembles Anwar engaging in sex acts.
The trio has thus far been convicted of publishing pornographic material but all three got off with very light sentences.
Speaking to reporters after the verdict was read out, Anwar said trial judge Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah had initially called accuser Saiful Bukhari Azlan a truthful witness.
He explained that his defence team later brought international experts to rebut the prosecution’s case and succeeded in pointing out the shortcomings in the testimonies of doctors and other expert prosecution witnesses.
“There was no way they can proceed (in proving my guilt). That’s what (the judge) said in a short judgment,” said Anwar.
Asked if his acquittal proves that the judiciary was independent, Anwar’s replied was a mixed bag.
“I must concede the judge given some space to act slightly independent, but the fact remains that the system is fundamentally flaw,” he said.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, Anwar said that there was “some courage” shown by the judge.
Anwar has been highly critical of the conduct of the presiding judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah over the admission of crucial defence evidence in deciding that there was a prima facie case.
Azizah: We're not out of the woods yet
His legal team had also previously complained that the prosecution had withheld certain evidence from the defence.
Meanwhile, Anwar’s wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said her husband was still not safe from further prosecution because he is implicated in a sex video scandal.
The sex video scandal is unveiled by the ‘Datuk T’ trio - Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, Rahim Thamby Chik and Shuib Lazim - and depicts a person who resembles Anwar engaging in sex acts.
The trio has thus far been convicted of publishing pornographic material but all three got off with very light sentences.
Anwar had previously claimed that the police are investigatingwhether he is really the man in the sex video clip.
Addressing thousands of supporters who rallied at the court complex carpark later, Anwar urged them to now turn their attention towards helping the Pakatan Rakyat coalition in the next general election.
“We are now united (in our quest) to free the people,” said Anwar, in a reference to the ad hoc “Free Anwar” campaign.
“We are now united (in our quest) to free the people,” said Anwar, in a reference to the ad hoc “Free Anwar” campaign.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.