Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar, 57, has served his six-year sentence for corruption, which he says was part of a political conspiracy against him. But he will be barred from active politics until 2008 under regulations governing convicted criminals.

The charismatic and popular politician, who was once widely expected to become prime minister, was freed from prison Sept. 2 when the Federal Court overturned his separate conviction and nine-year sentence for sodomy.

But the same court said Sept. 15 that it was not prepared to review its 2002 decision to reject his appeal on the corruption charge, which accused him of abusing his power to cover up allegations of sexual misconduct.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 25, 2004
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