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Judges delay verdict in sodomy trial of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim

Associated Press
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Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, left, is greeted by his supporters as he returns from a Friday prayer to a court house during the final hearing of his sodomy conviction in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. The Malaysian top court began hearing a final appeal filed by Anwar against a sodomy conviction widely regarded as a means to neutralize the threat he poses to the country's ruling coalition. 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.(AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (The Associated Press)

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, smiles as he waits for the final hearing of his sodomy conviction in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. The Malaysian top court began hearing a final appeal filed by Anwar against a sodomy conviction widely regarded as a means to neutralize the threat he poses to the country's ruling coalition. 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.(AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (The Associated Press)

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, center, returns from Friday prayer to court house during his final hearing of his sodomy conviction in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. The Malaysian top court began hearing a final appeal filed by Anwar against a sodomy conviction widely regarded as a means to neutralize the threat he poses to the country's ruling coalition. 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. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (The Associated Press)

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.