Anwar Ibrahim to be released from Malaysian police custody

Updated July 17, 2008 11:56:48

Anwar Ibrahim spent a night in detention after he was arrested over sodomy allegations. [Reuters]

A lawyer for Anwar Ibrahim says police have agreed to release the Malaysian opposition leader on bail after he was arrested on sodomy accusations and spent a night in detention.

Sankara Nair has told reporters by text message that Dr Anwar will be released from police headquarters soon.

The arrest has prompted fears of a political showdown echoing the events of ten years ago.

The People's Justice Party Information chief, Tian Chua, has told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific program the arrest has set the stage for a political showdown between the government and Anwar supporters, who've dismissed the sodomy allegations as a conspiracy to prevent him and the opposition from seizing power.

"We have seen that police have been mobilised on the streets and we have even a joint exercise between the military and the police, and this is unprecedented," he said.

"And a few of us have been called by police for recording statements on our previous demonstrations activities. So all these are signs towards a closing up of the democratic space."

Ten years ago, Anwar Ibrahim was sacked as deputy prime minister, beaten up by the police chief, and jailed for six years on sodomy and corruption charges.