Anwar’s lawyers appeal for his release

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8: Sacked deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim’s lawyers today asked a Malaysian court to order his release from detention. Anwar’s wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, told reporters here that the lawyers had filed a writ of habeas corpus with the Kuala Lumpur High Court asking for his release.

Anwar has been held under the Internal Security Act since September 20. “We are asking him to be released on the basis that his detention is illegal,” one of Anwar’s lawyers said.

Wan Azizah said the lawyers had also asked the High Court for an early hearing. Authorities have declined to release Anwar, who was arrested for allegedly inciting supporters to violence and later indicted for sodomy and corruption.

His trial is set to start on November 2. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Azizah said authorities had not allowed family members or lawyers to visit Anwar, who was being held in Federal Police headquarters here.