Malaysian court finds Anwar not guilty of sodomy

A Malaysian court on Monday found opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim not guilty of sodomizing a former male political aide, bringing a conclusion to a politically charged trial that has lasted nearly two years, according to CNN report.

The report says the courtroom erupted in cheers from Anwar’s supporters after the verdict and some of his family members burst into tears.

Anwar had been on trial in the Kuala Lumpur High Court on allegations that he sodomized the former aide, Saiful Bukhari Azlan, in June 2008. Sodomy, even if consensual, is an offense punishable by up to 20 years of prison in Malaysia, CNN reports.