By TERESA CEROJANO,Associated Press Writer AP - Thursday, July 17
MANILA, Philippines - Ousted Philippine President Joseph Estrada on Thursday criticized the sodomy charge against his friend, Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, as politically motivated.
"I hope that the Malaysian government will exercise prudence and observe due process in Anwar's case," Estrada said in a statement.
Estrada, who hosted Anwar in Manila last month and praised him as a democracy icon, said Anwar's arrest Wednesday on allegations that he sodomized a 23-year-old male aide appeared to be politically motivated.
He did not elaborate, but it was the second time in a decade that such an accusation has threatened Anwar's political career.
Malaysian police freed Anwar on bail Thursday after arresting him Wednesday for questioning and holding him overnight.
Anwar was fired as deputy prime minister in 1998, after being accused of sodomizing his family driver. Malaysia's Supreme Court later overturned his conviction, but by then Anwar had served six years in prison on a related charge of abuse of power. He was freed in 2004.
A former movie star, the 71-year-old Estrada was toppled in 2001 on corruption charges, and was jailed for six years during his plunder trial. He was convicted last year but was pardoned by his successor, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Last month, Estrada hosted a dinner party in his home for Anwar, and called him "part of my family."
Source: http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/ap/20080717/tap-as-philippines-malaysia-anwar-b3c65ae.html
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