Prosecution to study verdict before deciding to appeal
Hafiz YatimPublished: Jan 9, 2012 2:32 PM | Updated: Jan 9, 2012 4:59 PM
The prosecution have not immediately decided on whether they will appeal Anwar Ibrahim’s acquittal of a sodomy charge today.
The prosecution have not immediately decided on whether they will appeal Anwar Ibrahim’s acquittal of a sodomy charge today.
Outgoing solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden (right) told Malaysiakini that they will discuss the outcome of the verdict.
“Hopefully, the prosecution can get the judgment first to study,” he said.
Yusof led the prosecution team of senior DPPs against Anwar. He is scheduled to retire on Feb 1.
Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah, took less than five minutes in deciding to acquit Anwar after deciding not to accept the DNA evidence. He had admitted the evidence when the prosecution made its case.
At the end of the defence stage, the burden of proof was that the case must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Despite having accepted evidence by the government-appointed chemists Dr Seah Lay Hong and Nor Aidora Saedon earlier, the court appeared to reject it after hearing evidence from Anwar’s two expert witnesses from Australia.
Lawyer Karpal Singh said he is hopeful that the prosecution will not appeal the decision.
Describing the case as one of the toughest he has ever handled, Karpal said Anwar has been vindicated.
“We call on the attorney-general not to file an appeal in this case. This is not a proper case now for an appeal.
“This is a finding of fact left by the court and I think that the matter would be left there. Anwar has suffered a lot. The trauma suffered by the family..., and they should be left alone like that. It is a great victory for the defence team and Pakatan Rakyat.”
Karpal said there is a bigger focus ahead with the forthcoming election, and the focus would be on Anwar becoming the next prime minister and in Putrajaya.
Apart from Karpal, the defence team comprised Param Cumaraswamy, CV Prabhakaran, Sankara Nair and Ramkarpal Singh.
Outgoing solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden (right) told Malaysiakini that they will discuss the outcome of the verdict.“Hopefully, the prosecution can get the judgment first to study,” he said.
Yusof led the prosecution team of senior DPPs against Anwar. He is scheduled to retire on Feb 1.
Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah, took less than five minutes in deciding to acquit Anwar after deciding not to accept the DNA evidence. He had admitted the evidence when the prosecution made its case.
At the end of the defence stage, the burden of proof was that the case must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Despite having accepted evidence by the government-appointed chemists Dr Seah Lay Hong and Nor Aidora Saedon earlier, the court appeared to reject it after hearing evidence from Anwar’s two expert witnesses from Australia.
Lawyer Karpal Singh said he is hopeful that the prosecution will not appeal the decision.
Describing the case as one of the toughest he has ever handled, Karpal said Anwar has been vindicated.
“We call on the attorney-general not to file an appeal in this case. This is not a proper case now for an appeal.
“This is a finding of fact left by the court and I think that the matter would be left there. Anwar has suffered a lot. The trauma suffered by the family..., and they should be left alone like that. It is a great victory for the defence team and Pakatan Rakyat.”
Karpal said there is a bigger focus ahead with the forthcoming election, and the focus would be on Anwar becoming the next prime minister and in Putrajaya.
Apart from Karpal, the defence team comprised Param Cumaraswamy, CV Prabhakaran, Sankara Nair and Ramkarpal Singh.
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