Riots on streets of Kuala Lumpur as former deputy premier jailed
Wednesday, 14 April 1999 13:45
Malaysian police armed with water cannon and tear gas have clashed with supporters of the former deputy premier, Anwar Ibrahim, after he was jailed for six years in what has been widely seen as a politically motivated trial. Street skirmishes broke out in the capital Kuala Lumpur after Ibrahim, the leading figure in Malaysia's opposition movement, was found guilty of corruption.
The former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, has been sentenced to six years imprisonment after being convicted on four corruption charges. The prosecution alleged that Anwar used his position to cover up claims of sexual misconduct. However, the defence claimed the charges were the result of a high-level political conspiracy. The five month trial brought widespread political and civil unrest to the country.
Disturbances broke out on the streets of Kuala Lumpur as news of the verdict emerged. Amnesty International has condemned the trial.
