Sodomy trial on hold

The sodomy trial of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who claims he is a victim of political persecution, was temporarily halted after he called for the removal of the presiding judge.

Anwar is accused of sodomising a former male aide and could be barred from politics for five years if convicted.

Anwar said he was dissatisfied that the judge took no action against a newspaper owned by the ruling party that published a headline and photograph about the trial last week that he said were misleading and tantamount to contempt of court.