Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, facing his second sodomy trial in 12 years, pointed out that today's testimony by a Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) doctor that a semen sample was found in his accuser's anus could be challenged.He also painted a picture that the DNA specimen recovered or whatever semen sample found could have been planted.Anwar revealed that Australian forensic specialist Dr David Wells had described the procedures employed by HKL to be irregular."The doctor did say on assumption of the discovery of semen [...] all this is based on assumption on this and that. He only said 'this is our conclusive finding' but on the assumption of the presence of the semen sample," said Anwar (right).
Wells, who is from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and who is a criminology professor at University of Melbourne, arrived this morning to assist Anwar's defence team.When asked whether today's testimony was damaging, Anwar said this had been done to him for the past 12 years. "I am not worried about that."Asked whether he was shocked with the doctor's testimony that a semen sample was found, Anwar said the witness did not establish that the sample was his."You will be surprised if you get the report. They say semen and DNA samples were found of two people. This is indeed a Bollywood drama," he said.
"This is all a political battle against Anwar. It is clear. You will be surprised to know whose semen it is," he said, adding the sample could have been planted.
Prosecution 'did not reveal the truth'
Anwar's lead counsel Karpal Singh had also stated that today's proceeding did not determine who the semen sample belonged to and that it could have been introduced artificially.In today's testimony, HKL's Dr Mohamad Razali Ibrahim testified regarding the discovery of two male DNA samples on three cotton swabs. The samples were retrieved from the upper and lower rectum area of the complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan ).Anwar also charged that the prosecution was not telling the truth when they said they could not allow the defence access to the semen sample taken because 'there was only one'.He pointed out that Razali Ibrahim did say that the hospital had kept two sets of the samples for control."This is something new (what the doctor said). He said he had some specimens. However, the police and the prosecution said there were no specimens left.""But now after one and a half years, there is this specimen left. All this is very irregular."
"I will leave it to the lawyers. I am not worried at all. After 12 years of media propaganda, it has no effect on me."Another of Anwar's lawyer Sankara Nair said much will be done during cross-examination and was hoping for more time. He also complained that they have yet to receive notes of the proceedings.
Describing the medical report as 'a half report', he said it was 'quick' of Razali to come to the conclusion that there was penetration."A specialist requires a person to be trained and qualified. You must be a specialist to come to a second conclusion," he said."We are looking for a professional opinion and I think this is not (conclusive) proof," he said.
'Oath wasn't pre-planned'
During today's trial, Saiful told the court that he did not plan on the eve of the Permatang Pauh by-election nomination day two years ago to swear on the Quran at the Federal Territory Mosque that he was sodomised by Anwar.Saiful said the timing was a coincidence confidence. He also agreed that he had made a posting on his blog on Aug 2, 2008 wishing Anwar well in the Permatang Puah contest.
He was then asked several times by Karpal whether he had lied in his life to which Saiful agreed that he has lied before but denied doing so when under oath.Asked again on his younger sister Saidati Adha, Saiful maintained that he was not certain whether his sister was married. Saiful had previously testified that Saidati had eloped with Faez Khairi. When pressed by Karpal whether he knew Faez, Saiful said he agreed that Faez was married to his sister and also agreed he had met his brother-in-law twice.Faez held a press conference yesterday to refute Saiful's testimony in court earlier this week that he (Faez) had eloped with Saiful's sister and that they were not married
No comments:
Post a Comment