
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been arrested over allegations of sodomy, police and his lawyer say.
Armed police surrounded his car early on Wednesday and took him into custody, his lawyer said.
The move came shortly before Mr Anwar was due to given a statement to police over the claims made against him.
The former deputy prime minister denies the allegations, which he says are aimed at ending his political comeback.
The move is likely to exacerbate the political tensions that have emerged since the opposition's unprecedented gains in the general election of March 2008.
Armed police
Mr Anwar has been in a tense stand-off with police since a former male aide accused him of sodomy two weeks ago.
Sodomy is punishable by 20 years' imprisonment in Muslim-majority Malaysia.
The 60 year-old opposition leader had been scheduled to report to police on Wednesday to be interviewed over the allegations.
Police used tear gas and water cannon against Mr Anwar's supporters in 1998
But an hour before the meeting, armed police wearing balaclavas took him into custody outside the gates of his home, his lawyer said.
"The manner in which they surrounded our vehicle, it put a lot of fear and intimidation into us," Sankara Nair said.
Deputy National Police chief Ismail Omar said Mr Anwar was now being questioned at police headquarters.
"We have to record his statement to complete our investigations," he told the French news agency AFP. "Once the facts are in we can make a decision."
Police can detain the opposition leader for 24 hours, after which they must apply for a court order for further detention.
Police used tear gas and water cannon against Mr Anwar's supporters in 1998
Political challenge
Mr Anwar's arrest will be seen as provocative by Malaysian opposition groups.
When he was arrested on similar charges 10 years ago, his supporters staged large demonstrations.
A BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Robin Brant, says it is almost certain that the same thing will happen again now.
The allegations come only weeks after Mr Anwar said he was in a position to launch a challenge to the ruling coalition, with the help of government defectors.
The opposition leader made his claim at a time when Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is already under intense pressure to resign over poor election results and high fuel prices.
Mr Abdullah has said he will leave office in 2010, defying pressure to step down this December.
BBC
16/07/08
1 comment:
This is so called "Justice and Malaysia Boleh!", please read my comment.If I were to report to police stated I've been sodomized (reported only after 9 times been sodomized!, ENJOY?)& went to see Mr. Najis, I will be protected by policemen & maybe awarded with some 'Pocket Money' and 'scholarship' although my exam results was BAD, which from the report caused another well known person (Anwar Ibrahim) arrested. What if another person, in this case, Raja Petra made a statutory declaration on murder case against another well known person (Najis OR Rohmati), which may cause himself (RPK) to be jailed if his statement was not right, why Najis is not being arrested in this case?? Is this necessary for the policemen which covered with masks to arrest him using this method since Anwar has promised to turn up at the police station on time! RPK is going to be arrested also on Thursday!! How come the person being reported (Anwar) in 1st case was arrested but 2nd case not, & why the person made statutory declaration (report) in 2nd case will be arrested but 1st case was not (Saiful). This is really politically killing by BN (especially UMNO) 'cos they scared if Anwar Ibrahim is able to form government under Pakatan Rakyat, I think those people from UMNO starting from the 1st & 2nd person and so on, will be queuing up to go to JAIL due to BIG CORRUPTIONS!! I'm doubt there is justice in Malaysia right at the moment until alternate government be formed, then only the new justice system will be there for the 'Small Malaysians' like us (actually we are BOSS!). Hidup Anwar, Hidup PR and Hidup Malaysia! Then only we are proud to say MALAYSIA BOLEH! MALAYSIA REALLY BOLEH!
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