9:23am Anwar freed! DNA evidence held not reliable

Photo: Nurul Izzah Anwar

Mama and papa's first embrace after verdict 🙂 we are vindicated, Alhamdulillah #fb http://t.co/housrCpl

— Nurul Izzah Anwar 🇲🇾 🌺 (@n_izzah) January 9, 2012

Anwar Ibrahim has been cleared of sex crime charges after the High Court held that there were doubts about the DNA evidence produced by the police. Justice Mohamad Zabidin Diah said: “The court cannot be 100 per cent certain that DNA was not contaminated. And because it was a sexual offence, the court is reluctant to convict on uncorroborated evidence”, meaning the testimony of former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan who had accused Anwar of sodomy.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers are to hold a meeting to discuss whether to appeal the verdict. They must file within two weeks.

Cheers erupted from waiting thousands outside the court. After the verdict, Anwar thanked his wife Wan Azizah for standing by him and praised lawyer Karpal Singh who led his legal team. Karpal had said on Sunday he was confident that Anwar would be acquitted.

9.41am: Thanking his laywers, wife and Pakatan leaders, Anwar says: "I'm finally vindicated after the smearing of my character."

— malaysiakini.com (@malaysiakini) January 9, 2012

9.41am: "We want to continue on the reform agenda, fighting corruption, and (for) freedom of the press," Anwar adds.

— malaysiakini.com (@malaysiakini) January 9, 2012

Anwar leaves court complex with his supporters cheering him on. He thanks Wan Azizah for standing by him and praises lawyer Karpal Singh

— The Star (@staronline) January 9, 2012

10.12am: In a blog posting at 7.13am, Saiful, who is not present today, said he will "accept" the verdict regardless of outcome.

— malaysiakini.com (@malaysiakini) January 9, 2012

As it unfolded in Tweets

Acquited.- Anwar Bebas!!

— Fuziah Salleh (@FuziahSalleh99) January 9, 2012

http://twitter.com/CarolHong/status/156183796281122816

Acquitted and discharged!!!!!

— Ambiga Sreenevasan (@Ambiga_S) January 9, 2012

Truth has Prevailed! Battle is Won but the Rakyat want to win the 'War'! Will be there a Sodomy 3.0?! God saves this nation! Allahu Akbar!

— Dzulkefly Ahmad (@DrDzul) January 9, 2012

Sodomy II: Anwar hugs his wife and daughters. Wan Azizah cries

— The Star (@staronline) January 9, 2012

9.29am: Anwar's supporters chant in jubilation. @chegubard calls out the names of all states in Malaysia, declaring them "unsafe" for BN.

— malaysiakini.com (@malaysiakini) January 9, 2012

9.26am: Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah says Anwar is acquitted as the court cannot 100 percent accept the DNA evidence.

— malaysiakini.com (@malaysiakini) January 9, 2012

Judge does not read full grounds of judgement. Reads last part. Says there is doubt about the reliability of the DNA evidence. #901

— Sivarasa Rasiah (@SivarasaRasiah) January 9, 2012

SODOMY2 – Judge Zabidin Diah gave brief 2-minute verdict, saying "The court could not exclude possibility samples compromised."

— Insider (@insider_latest) January 9, 2012

#RakyatHakimNegara : Najib/Rosmah in deep shit. They met Saiful 3 days earlier. He condemn @anwaribrahim macam2, now how? #fb

— SimTzeTzin 沈志勤 🇲🇾 (@simtzetzin) January 9, 2012

can't imagine UMNO's right wing r happy with the results, seeing that they wanted to end @anwaribrahim's political career once & for all.

— Ong Kian Ming 🇲🇾 (@imokman) January 9, 2012

9.49am:Traffic at Jalan khidmat Usaha is at a stand still as the jubilant crowd pours onto the road heading to the mosque chanting Reformasi

— malaysiakini.com (@malaysiakini) January 9, 2012

9.50 Police disallow pro-Anwar supporters from entering Masjid Wilayah compoud as Perkasa and Pekida are there.

— malaysiakini.com (@malaysiakini) January 9, 2012

9.50am: The crowd boos as the Pekida and Perkasa watch from inside the mosque. Tian Chua redirects them to a nearby food court.

— malaysiakini.com (@malaysiakini) January 9, 2012

Photo: Media Rakyat