Updated

Judges at Malaysia's top court have delayed giving a verdict in opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's appeal against his sodomy conviction.

Chief justice Arifin Zakaria said Friday the five-member panel needed time to go through submissions by the defense and prosecution.

He says the verdict will be announced at a later, unspecified date.

Anwar was sentenced to five years in prison in March on charges of sodomizing a male aide in 2008, after Malaysia's appeals court overturned an earlier acquittal.

The trial is widely regarded as a means to neutralize the threat he poses to the country's ruling coalition.