May 21, 1999
Web posted at: 1:35 a.m. EDT (0535 GMT)

KUALA LUMPUR (CNN) -- A trial date of September 20 has been set in the case of former Malaysian police chief Abdul Rahim Noor, who is charged with severely beating former Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim while he was in police custody.

Anwar says he was beaten until unconscious while handcuffed and blindfolded in Malaysian police headquarters after being arrested at his suburban home. Anwar was arrested exactly one year prior to the date set for Rahim's trial. Anwar was sentenced to six years in jail for corruption.

The ousted deputy premier appeared in court with a black eye, and his claim of being beaten at federal police headquarters triggered international outrage. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad came under criticism when he suggested that Anwar might have inflicted the injuries on himself.

After a police investigation failed to identify the assailant, an independent royal commission held hearings during which Rahim Noor confessed to hitting Anwar. The former police chief claimed Anwar provoked him by calling him "the father of dogs" when he went to remove his blindfold.

Rahim pleaded not guilty last month, and has been allowed to remain free without bail pending trial. Sessions Court Judge Hamdan Indah says his trial on the charge of attempting to cause grievous hurt to Anwar will run from September 20 to 24. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 3 years in jail and a fine set by the court.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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