No penetration but case goes on because in Malaysia medical report will not be treated as conclusive

The Court of Appeal today dismissed Anwar Ibrahim's appeal to quash his sodomy charge.

The three-member panel led by Justice Abu Samah Nordin, unanimously ruled that the trial should proceed despite documentary evidence from three doctors there was no sign of penetration of Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan's rectum.

The joint forensic report by doctors Khairul Nizam Hassan, Mohd Razali Ibrahim and Siew Sheue Seng – who examined Saiful on June 28, 2008, two days after the alleged sodomy stated that there were no signs of any defensive wounds on Saiful's body.

Anwar's sodomy trial which began two weeks ago will now continue tomorrow.

Anwar's lawyer Karpal Singh said he would apply for a stay of hearing pending an appeal to the Federal Court.

On Dec 1 last year, Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah dismissed Anwar's striking out application and ruled the matter should proceed to a full trial.

The prosecution had argued that the medical report was only half the evidence and hence, should not be treated as conclusive.

It said that samples obtained from the victim's rectum shows there was semen.

Anwar, 62, had applied to strike out the sodomy charge following revelations from the medical report on Mohd Saiful that there was no indication that there was penetration of his rectum.

Anwar, is charged with sodomising Mohd Saiful, his former aide at the Desa Damansara condominium on June 26, 2008.

Malaysian Mirror
18/02/10

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