By Robin Brant
BBC News, Kuala Lumpur
**Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim faces trial on charges of sodomy, having been accused of illegal sex with a former male aide.**It is the second time he has faced the accusation. He spent six years in jail after a trial in the late 1990s.
He has denied the claim, calling it a lie intended to destroy his political career. Opinion polls say few Malaysians believe the latest charges.
The 61-year-old has told the BBC he is not expecting a fair hearing.
“You are not talking about law or facts,” Mr Ibrahim said.
“We are just talking about the abuse of process, the abuse of the system, just to defeat and incarcerate your political opponent.”
Deja vu
Almost exactly one year ago, Mr Ibrahim was arrested by armed police in a dramatic raid. He was questioned for 24 hours, then charged with sodomy.
A 23-year-old who used to work in his office said Mr Ibrahim, Malaysia’s opposition leader, had sex with him at an upmarket apartment on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
Mr Anwar says his accuser is lying and the evidence has been fabricated. He points the finger at the government.
His arrest came just a few months after he led the opposition to a very strong showing at a general election.
This is very similar to events 10 years ago. Then Mr Ibrahim was jailed for sodomy, but he was freed six years later after an appeal.
His conviction followed his sacking as deputy prime minister.
Malaysia’s new prime minister, Najib Razak, also has much riding on this trial.
In the current climate, a guilty verdict could see him face renewed accusations of political persecution.
However, a not guilty verdict would strengthen the man he is desperate to keep out of power.