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Malaysia's Anwar released on bail Malaysia's Anwar released on bail
(about 3 hours later)
Malaysian police have released opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on bail after he was arrested over allegations of sodomy. Malaysian police have released opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on bail after he was arrested in connection with allegations of sodomy.
His lawyers said he had left custody, but could still face charges. He was held for questioning over the allegations just hours before he had been due to make a police statement.
He spent a night in detention having been arrested by police for questioning over the allegations, on which he had been due to make a statement. The former deputy prime minister, who could still face charges, has accused the government of orchestrating the allegations to discredit him.
Mr Anwar urged his supporters to remain calm. He denies the allegations, saying they are politically-motivated. "They have no case against me," Mr Anwar told reporters after his release.
The former deputy prime minister is expected to hold a news conference at 1400 local time (0600 GMT).
His arrest is likely to exacerbate the political tensions that have emerged since the opposition's unprecedented gains in the general election of March 2008.
The 60-year-old has been in a tense stand-off with police since a former male aide accused him of sodomy two weeks ago.The 60-year-old has been in a tense stand-off with police since a former male aide accused him of sodomy two weeks ago.
Sodomy, even between consenting adults, is a crime in Malaysia and is punishable by 20 years' imprisonment in the Muslim-majority country.Sodomy, even between consenting adults, is a crime in Malaysia and is punishable by 20 years' imprisonment in the Muslim-majority country.
His arrest is likely to exacerbate the political tensions that have emerged since the opposition's unprecedented gains in the general election of March 2008.
Intense pressureIntense pressure
Speaking to reporters outside police headquarters, the former lawyer said he had left the building.
"He was driven off in his wife's car through the back exit," said Sivarasa Rasiah.
Anwar's supporters have not so far held large demonstrations
Mr Anwar's arrest will have been seen as provocative by Malaysian opposition groups, says the BBC's Robin Brant in Kuala Lumpur.Mr Anwar's arrest will have been seen as provocative by Malaysian opposition groups, says the BBC's Robin Brant in Kuala Lumpur.
When he was arrested on similar charges 10 years ago, his supporters staged large demonstrations.When he was arrested on similar charges 10 years ago, his supporters staged large demonstrations.
Anwar's supporters have not so far held large demonstrations
They had promised to do the same this time but, so far, no big protests have taken place, our correspondent says.They had promised to do the same this time but, so far, no big protests have taken place, our correspondent says.
Only a handful of supporters gathered outside the police headquarters where he was held overnight, Reuters reports, despite calls by the opposition for a show of support. Only a handful of supporters gathered outside the police headquarters, despite calls by the opposition for a show of support.
Mr Anwar has given a statement to police but refused to provide a DNA sample, the AFP news agency quotes his lawyers as saying. Mr Anwar has given a statement to police but refused to provide a DNA sample, AFP news agency quoted his lawyers as saying.
Under the bail conditions, he is required to report back to police on 18 August.Under the bail conditions, he is required to report back to police on 18 August.
Mr Anwar has said the allegations are part of a conspiracy to try to derail his efforts to bring down the government after his significant gains in the general election.Mr Anwar has said the allegations are part of a conspiracy to try to derail his efforts to bring down the government after his significant gains in the general election.
The sodomy accusations came only weeks after Mr Anwar said he was in a position to launch a challenge to the ruling coalition, with the help of government defectors.The sodomy accusations came only weeks after Mr Anwar said he was in a position to launch a challenge to the ruling coalition, with the help of government defectors.
The opposition leader made his claim at a time when Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is already under intense pressure to resign over poor election results and high fuel prices.The opposition leader made his claim at a time when Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is already under intense pressure to resign over poor election results and high fuel prices.
Mr Abdullah has said he will leave office in 2010, defying pressure to step down this December.Mr Abdullah has said he will leave office in 2010, defying pressure to step down this December.