MALAYSIA: HRF URGES FEDERAL COURT TO FREE ANWAR IBRAHIM
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Anwar Ibrahim. Source: Huffington Post
NEW YORK (December 7, 2016) — Human Rights Foundation (HRF) urges the Federal Court of Malaysia to set aside prisoner of conscience Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction. Anwar filed a review application with the Federal Court last year after the ruling for his 2014 “sodomy” conviction and five-year prison sentence were upheld. On October 12, 2016, the Court heard Anwar’s final bid for acquittal in his case, and reserved its judgment on the matter for a later date. Anwar’s charges are widely considered to be politically motivated.
“Anwar’s criminal conviction is the result of a political circus that aimed to strip him of his political standing, damage his reputation permanently, and eliminate the voice of the opposition,” said HRF president Thor Halvorssen. “Anwar’s conviction cannot stand if the Malaysian court evaluates the evidence fairly. The judges should set aside Anwar’s baseless conviction,” added Halvorssen.
A prominent opposition figure, Anwar was due to participate in an election that could have put him in charge of one of Malaysia’s richest states prior to his criminal conviction. Despite a lack of DNA evidence, inconsistency in the testimony of Anwar’s accuser, and evidence tampering by a senior police officer, Anwar was found guilty. Following his conviction, members of Anwar’s legal team have been charged with sedition for advocating for his release. Anwar has been imprisoned since February of 2015.
Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies.
View this release on our website here.
Contact: (212) 246-8486 or advocacy@hrf.org.
TAKE ACTION. Send an email, or call:
• Call on the Federal Court of Malaysia to set aside Anwar’s conviction;
• Urge the Malaysian government to stop harassing Anwar’s legal team.
CONTACT the Chief Judge on Anwar Ibrahim’s case and the Malaysian Prime Minister:
• Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin, Chief Judge of Malaya. Telephone: +603 8880 3552 Email: cjm@kehakiman.gov.my
• Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia. Telephone: +603 8888 8000 Email: ppm@pmo.gov.my
Please let us know if you took action. CC your communication to: advocacy@hrf.org.
