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Police detain three supporters of Anwar Ibrahim
Kuala Lumpur, Nov 02: Malaysian police arrested three supporters of jailed opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim for handing out copies of a letter he wrote accusing the judiciary of `unfair` decisions, officials said today.
Kuala Lumpur, Nov 02: Malaysian police arrested three supporters of jailed opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim for handing out copies of a letter he wrote accusing the judiciary of "unfair" decisions, officials said today.
The three were arrested last night in central Kuala Lumpur for distributing the letters to the public without a police permit, said Ezam Mohamad Noor, a senior official of
Anwar's National Justice Party.
One of them was released a few hours later. The other two, who are still being held, will be charged in court and face jail and fines if convicted, Ezam said. They were due to appear in court tomorrow. "The public has the right to know about how unfair the judicial system has been to Anwar," Ezam told the media. "We are shocked that the police would act so harshly just to stop the letter from being circulated."
A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrests but declined to give any details.
Anwar was sacked as Deputy Prime Minister by his one-time mentor, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, after their relationship soured over the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. Anwar was also Finance Minister at the time.
The popular politician was sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption and sodomy. His wife and other followers formed a new opposition party. Mahathir denies their claims that he orchestrated a conspiracy against Anwar.
One of them was released a few hours later. The other two, who are still being held, will be charged in court and face jail and fines if convicted, Ezam said. They were due to appear in court tomorrow. "The public has the right to know about how unfair the judicial system has been to Anwar," Ezam told the media. "We are shocked that the police would act so harshly just to stop the letter from being circulated."
A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrests but declined to give any details.
Anwar was sacked as Deputy Prime Minister by his one-time mentor, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, after their relationship soured over the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. Anwar was also Finance Minister at the time.
The popular politician was sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption and sodomy. His wife and other followers formed a new opposition party. Mahathir denies their claims that he orchestrated a conspiracy against Anwar.