The appeal court in Putrajaya, Malaysia's administrative capital, today sentenced former Deputy Prime Minister Ibrahim to five years' imprisonment. He was convicted of sodomy in 2008. However, it was not until Anwar appealed that he was detained.
His supporters say today's verdict is politically motivated.
The Malaysian Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the government today, rejecting the defense lawyer's claim that DNA evidence was contaminated, overturning the original verdict of innocence, and accusing Anwar of having anal sex with 1 male assistant in 2008.
The maximum penalty for this crime is 20 years' imprisonment and flogging.
Most people in Malaysia are Muslims, and anal sex is illegal.
Anwar's lawyer is expected to appeal the case to the Supreme Court, but today's judgment may still affect Anwar's plan to participate in local elections this month.
This election will pave the way for Anwar to take charge of Selangor, Malaysia's richest and most populous state.
Anwar severely reprimanded the collegiate bench judge after sentencing. He told the judge: "This is a distortion of justice. I thought you would have the courage. 」
The verdict caused a sensation in the court, which was full of Anwar's opposition colleagues and supporters, and Anwar's wife and three daughters cried.
After the judge pronounced the sentence, about 150 Anwar supporters demonstrated outside the court and shouted the battle slogan of "reform" of the opposition party. The police guarded the court closely.
If Anwar fails to appeal, he will not only be locked up, but also be deprived of his seat in Congress, making him disqualified from leading the opposition party.