From: "SHA SA"
From NTSP INTERACTIVE
Anwar, wearing neck brace, says he is being treated "like a dog"
      KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (AFP) - Malaysia's ousted deputy prime
minister Anwar Ibrahim accused the authorities
      Monday of treating him "like a dog" as he appeared in the High
Court wearing a neck brace.
      "My treatment is like a dog, worse than a criminal," Anwar said
loudly as he walked out of the court during a brief
      adjournment after police refused to let him embrace his mother.
      The 51-year-old Anwar had already pleaded not guilty to the five
charges of sodomy and another five charges of
      corruption in a lower court last week when his case was
transferred to the High Court.
      The charges were read out to him in the High Court on Monday.
      Anwar wore a beige-coloured neck brace and was seen smiling at
times, an AFP correspondent in the court reported.
      Following an appeal by lawyers Monday, Justice Augustine Paul
ordered a halt to all public comments on the charges
      faced by Anwar.
      Anwar's lawyers charged that "people in high offices" were
commenting on the case as if he was guilty of the charges.
      "I do not think it is appropriate for anybody to comment on the
guilt or innocence of (Anwar) directly or indirectly,"
      Paul said.
      "In order to ensure a fair trial, with effect from today, such
statements should be ceased to be made," he said.
      Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, several ministers and others have
been making statements on Anwar's case since
      his ouster on September 2.
      Anwar has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
      The 51-year-old former finance minister was arrested on September
20 under the powerful Internal Security Act after
      he led a massive anti-government rally in Kuala Lumpur. The act
allows for indefinite detention without trial.
      Anwar, who was fired on September 2, had made his first court
appearance with a swollen left eye and bruised arm
      last Tuesday when he charged that he was the victim of police
brutality.
      He claimed he was handcuffed, blindfolded and beaten on the night
of his arrest.
      The court ordered a medical check-up and he was taken to a
government hospital on Saturday where he stayed
      overnight.
      The 51-year-old former finance minister was arrested on September
20 under the powerful Internal Security Act after
      he led a massive anti-government rally in Kuala Lumpur. The act
allows for indefinite detention without trial.
 

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