Malaysia’s Anwar found guilty in sodomy case

Malaysia’s highest court found opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim guilty on charges of sodomy on Tuesday in a case that his supporters say was politically motivated, and will likely end a career marked by controversy.

The Federal Court’s judgment upholds a ruling by the Court of Appeal in March last year, which found the 67-year-old guilty of sodomizing a former political aide.

He is expected to be sentenced later on Tuesday.

Hundreds of Anwar supporters, surrounded by dozens of police, gathered outside the court in Kuala Lumpur waving party flags and shouting “Down with Barisan Nasional”.

The ruling may spark protests after opposition gains in a 2013 general election raised the possibility of a genuine challenge for the Barisan Nasional coalition that has ruled since 1957.

The conviction disqualifies Anwar from political office and contesting the next election that must be held by 2018.

Human Rights Watch decried what it called Anwar’s “selective persecution”.

Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government has rejected any suggestion of interference in the case.

“Malaysia has an independent judiciary, and there have been many rulings against senior government figures,” a government statement, issued after the ruling, said.

“The police report against Anwar Ibrahim was brought by a private individual – Anwar