Malaysia's top court upheld opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's conviction for sodomy

Malaysia's top court has upheld opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's conviction for sodomy after rejecting his appeal.

Anwar Ibrahim will now go to prison immediately to serve the five-year term that he was given in March 2014.
It will be Anwar Ibrahim's second spell in jail on charges which he has always argued have been politically motivated.
Anwar Ibrahim is widely seen as the only man who can break the governing coalition's dominance, correspondents say.
"I maintain my innocence. This to me is a fabrication coming from a political conspiracy to stop my political career,"Anwar Ibrahim told the court.
Anwar Ibrahim told the judges: "You have become partners in crime in the murder of judicial independence," prompting them to get up and walk out of the room

The Case
In this most recent case, Anwar Ibrahim was accused of having sex with a male political aide in 2008. Sodomy is illegal in Muslim-majority Malaysia, though very few people are ever prosecuted.

Anwar Ibrahim was cleared by a High Court of the charges in 2012 because of a lack of evidence.

The Malaysian government then appealed and his acquittal was overturned. It is Anwar Ibrahim's appeal against this ruling that has now been rejected.

Timeline: Anwar Ibrahim

• 1993 to 1998 - Deputy Prime Minister, under Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad
• 1999 - Jailed for abuse of power, sparking huge street protests
• 2000 - Found guilty of sodomy with his wife's driver
• 2004 - Supreme Court overturns sodomy conviction, freeing him from jail. He quickly emerges as the de facto opposition leader
• March 2008 - ruling coalition narrowly wins general election, but with its worst results in 50 years. The opposition makes unprecedented gains
• Aug 2008 - Anwar charged with sodomy for a second time, but despite this is soon voted in as an MP
• Feb 2009 - Second trial for sodomy starts
• Jan 2012 - Acquitted of sodomy by High Court
• May 2013: Leads opposition to best-ever performance in general elections
• Mar 2014: 2012 acquittal overturned by court after government appeal