Anwar Ibrahim's Sodomy Trial Resurrected

Anwar Ibrahim, prominent opposition party leader is again in the news again to face sodomy charges against him. This time the court judges and lawyers along with Saiful Bukhari Azlan( his accuser) visited the apartment where the alleged sodomy took place.

The trial in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, opened on Wednesday after a judge rejected an appeal by defence lawyers. Mr Anwar has consistently denied the charges, saying they are part of a political conspiracy contrary him.

Homosexual acts are illegal in Malaysia and Mr Anwar faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The judge denied Mr Anwar's lawyers advanced access to medical evidence, DNA and CCTV tapes, which they mentioned were key in providing an adequate defense. Prosecutors mention traces of Mr Anwar's sperm were found when Saiful Bukhari Azlan underwent a medical examination two days after being assaulted in June 2008.

On Wednesday, the court heard explicit testimony from Mr Saiful, prompting Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah to agree to hear the rest of the evidence behind closed doors.

The charismatic opposition leader - who was deputy prime minister until his sudden sacking in 1998 - served 6 years after a conviction for sodomy, which was subsequently overturned on appeal.

After his release, he led the opposition to election gains in 2008.

Mr Anwar represents a drastic challenge to the current Prime Minister Mr.Najib Razak, whose coalition has held power for more than 50 years.

Sodomy, Molest, Rape and other sex crimes continues to hog headlines of major newspapers. And if these acts are perpetrated by celebrities or prominent leaders, it comes under even greater scrutiny. One clear example from the pages of the history books is Bill Cliniton's Monica Lewinsky scandal. The whole episode was an embarrassment not only to the Clintons but to the America as whole. And more recently, the Tiger Wood's affairs came to light and had everyone talking.