Amnesty demands Anwar8217;s release

LONDON, Sept 26: Amnesty International has declared detained former Malaysian deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim and 14 political associates prisoners of conscience8217; and called for their immediate release.

The human rights organisation expressed serious concern that the men, held under legislation which allows for detention without trial, were at risk of ill-treatment.

Anwar, also a former finance minister, was arrested on Sunday after leading 30,000 demonstrators through the streets of Kuala Lumpur in an unprecedented display of public opposition to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad8217;s 17-year rule.