WATCH: Anwar Ibrahim defiant in court after appeal against sodomy conviction's turned down, Latest Others News - The New Paper
News

WATCH: Anwar Ibrahim defiant in court after appeal against sodomy conviction's turned down

This article is more than 12 months old

 

 

 

His daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar uploaded a video of her father Anwar Ibrahim on Facebook.

The footage showed the 67-year-old politician speaking animatedly - as the Federal Court upheld a five-year jail term for sodomy.

Along with the 10-second clip, she also posted a long letter, apparently written by her father on Tuesday (Feb 10) after the verdict for his appeal was announced in Malaysia's highest court.

In the 525-word-long letter, Anwar once again maintained his innocence.

Criticism globally

While Malaysians react to the verdict, criticisms at the decision has come from various corners of the globe.

The U.N. Human Rights office, the United States and Australia said they were disappointed by the ruling while Amnesty International said it would have a chilling effect on freedom of expression.

The United States said it was “deeply disappointed” with the conviction.

 National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said:

“The decision to prosecute Mr. Anwar and the conduct of his trial have raised a number of serious concerns about rule of law and the fairness of the judicial system in Malaysia."

Cartoonist arrested

Internally, one of Malaysia’s best-known political cartoonists has been arrested for sedition over a Twitter posting that criticised the jailing of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, the artist’s wife said today.

Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque – better known as Zunar – was arrested on Tuesday night, hours after the court decision on Anwar's sodomy case.

The cartoonist’s lawyer Melissa Sasidaran said he is expected to be held for a few days.

Sources: Reuters, AFP, Facebook

Related report: Anwar Ibrahim gets 5-year jail term for sodomy. He tells family: 'See you in some years' 

anwar ibrahimmalaysia