U.S. group says Anwar's conviction a 'step backwards'

August 9, 2000
Web posted at: 11:46 a.m. HKT (0346 GMT)

In this story: Ruling deplored Anwar's family shocked Lawyer: Sentence 'excessive' RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Calling the court's ruling a "blow to justice," a U.S.-based human rights group has condemned a nine-year prison sentence handed to former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday following his sodomy conviction.

"This is a real step backwards for Malaysia," said Joe Saunders, deputy Asia director at the New York-based Human Rights Watch, in a statement on Tuesday.

"If you're out of favor with the political leadership, no matter how high you might rise in the government, you have very little protection," he said.

Officials from Australia and New Zealand also criticized the court's verdict.

VIDEO CNN's Kasra Naji reports on the outcome of the trial Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)    VIDEO CNN's Kasra Naji reports on the background to the trial Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     AUDIO Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, told CNN about her husband's activities following Tuesday's conviction 534k/25 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Wan Azizah also talked about Malaysia's image 543k/26 sec. AIFF or WAV sound     ALSO Malaysia's Anwar to appeal sodomy conviction, sentence     QUICK VOTE Do you think Anwar Ibrahim has received a fair trial in Malaysia on the various charges against him? Yes No View Results

Earlier, Malaysian High Court Judge Arifin Jaka ended the nearly yearlong trial when he ruled Anwar and his adopted brother, Sukma Darmawan, were guilty of sodomizing Anwar's former driver, Azizan Abu Bakar.

Arifin sentenced Anwar, 52, to nine years in prison, to be served consecutive to the six years he is serving for a corruption conviction. After serving the 15 years, Anwar will be disqualified from holding public office for five years.

Sukma, 39, was sentenced to six years in prison and four strokes of a cane. The cane is only applied to people under age 49. However, his sentence was suspended pending appeal. Anwar's lawyers also said they would appeal.

Ruling deplored

Anwar, sacked as deputy prime minister and finance minister in September 1998 by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, has denied any wrongdoing, and said the trials were part of a plot by Mahathir to remove him from politics.

Two of Anwar's supporters were arrested following the court's ruling. There was a heavy police presence outside the court, and the officers had water canons.

In Australia, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he was saddened by the court's ruling, and an opposition party spokesman said he deplored Anwar's conviction.

"Many people in Australia hold Anwar Ibrahim in very high regard," Downer said through his spokesman.

Meanwhile, Laurie Brereton, Australia's opposition foreign affairs spokesman, said he deplored the ruling, especially after legal observers expressed reservations about the trial's fairness.

"Friends of Malaysia can only be profoundly saddened by the injustice that has befallen Anwar, and by the damage these proceedings have inflicted upon Malaysia's international standing," Brereton said.

The British Foreign Office said France would issue a statement, expected later Tuesday, on behalf of the European Union.

Anwar's family shocked

Phil Goff, New Zealand's foreign minister, said he passed on his country's concerns to Malaysian officials.

"There is ... deep concern about the adequacy and fairness of the processes followed in reaching this verdict," he said.

"Strong reservations have been expressed by reputable agencies such as the International Bar Association, the Center for the Independence of Judges, Lawyers of the International Commission of Jurists and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.

"These reservations relate to the reliability and admissibility of evidence, constraints placed on the defense, and the independence of the judiciary from the executive," Goff said.

After hearing the verdict, Anwar thanked Arifin for completing Mahathir's plan. Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said the sentence was "cruel," but said it was a small price to pay for democracy and justice.

"We are very, very shocked, of course, and very angry," Nurul Izzah, Anwar's oldest child, told reporters. "The fight will go on."

Anwar and Arifin traded verbal salvos, calling each other "sick." Arifin said Anwar and his brother had committed "despicable" offenses.

"You are a sick man," Arifin told Anwar.

"Only a sick judge would call me a sick man," Anwar shot back.

Lawyer: Sentence 'excessive'

Chandra Muzaffar, deputy president of Malaysia's opposition Parti Keadilan Nasional (National Justice Party), said he felt sad for the country's judiciary.

"I feel sorry for Anwar, but I feel even sorrier for the country. I feel sad for the system of justice for this country, what it has come to," Chandra said.

Arifin said he based his ruling on the weight of evidence presented during the months-long trial. However, Anwar's lawyers said their appeal would be based on that evidence.

Defense lawyer Sankara Nair told CNN that the defense team would argue during the appeal that, among other things, the court did not consider Anwar's alibi, and that prosecutors had amended the charge when they realized the building where the offense allegedly occurred had not been built as of the date on the original charge.

"The sentences are grossly excessive and unconscionable," Christopher Fernando, another Anwar lawyer, said.

"The fact is he (Arifin) refused to even give a concurrent sentence," Fernando said. "That would have shown magnanimity on the part of the judge."

CNN Correspondent Kasra Naji, CNN Correspondent Lisa Barron, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Malaysia's former deputy PM Anwar found guilty of sodomy in sex trial
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Asiaweek: All Over But the Verdict
July 28, 2000
Judge sets verdict date for Malaysia's Anwar
July 18, 2000
Malaysian judge adjourns Anwar's sodomy trial
February 21, 2000

The Free Anwar Campaign
Malaysia Prime Minister's Office
Official Anwar Ibrahim's Online Resources
CIA World Factbook: Malaysia
Malaysia's Political Resources
Malaysia : Government and Politics

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