Malaysian sodomy trial halted

AP

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim waves to his supporters as he leaves Desa Damansara Condominium, where he alleged sodomised a former aide, in Kuala Lumpur.

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Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial has been temporarily halted after he called for the judge to be removed.

Anwar says he faces a ''real danger of bias'' following several technical rulings made by High Court Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah in the trial last week.

The judge will hear the application by Anwar's lawyers and decide whether to step down from the case Tuesday.

Anwar is accused of sodomising 24-year-old Saiful Bukhari Azlan, a male former aide, on June 26, 2008, at a private condominium.

Anwar claims the charge is part of a government plot to undermine his opposition alliance, but government authorities have denied any conspiracy.