Kuala Lumpur:
Malaysia's High Court has acquitted opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of sodomising a former aide, citing unreliable DNA evidence.
The verdict on Monday surprised supporters who feared Anwar would be imprisoned to silence him.
"I thank god for this great news. I'm finally vindicated," Anwar told reporters.
Anwar said the verdict left him free to focus on trying to topple Prime Minister Najib Razak's long-ruling coalition in national elections that many predict will be held within months.
Anwar has long maintained that Najib concocted the charge to damage his chances of leading the opposition to an election victory.
Najib denies plotting against Anwar.
Anwar, whom the opposition regards as its future prime minister if it wins federal power, had earlier said he was bracing for a conviction, which could result in a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Najib's administration said the judgment showed that Malaysia's legal system was free from government interference, despite claims to the contrary by opposition activists.
The case rested mainly on testimony by Anwar's 26-year-old accuser, Saiful Bukhari Azlan, and semen samples found on Saiful's body that investigators said matched Anwar's DNA.
High Court Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah said his decision was founded on concerns that the DNA evidence was tainted.
The verdict is expected to have a major impact on general elections that most politicians believe will be held some time this year.
Anwar is the opposition's most charismatic politician and is considered the figure who can best hold the three ideologically distinct parties in his alliance together.
Anwar, a former deputy prime minister and married father of six, was jailed in another sodomy case in 2000 when he was convicted of sodomising his family's ex-driver.
He denied the allegation, and Malaysia's top court released him in 2004 by overturning his conviction and nine-year sentence.
The verdict on Monday surprised supporters who feared Anwar would be imprisoned to silence him.
"I thank god for this great news. I'm finally vindicated," Anwar told reporters.
Anwar said the verdict left him free to focus on trying to topple Prime Minister Najib Razak's long-ruling coalition in national elections that many predict will be held within months.
Anwar has long maintained that Najib concocted the charge to damage his chances of leading the opposition to an election victory.
Najib denies plotting against Anwar.
Anwar, whom the opposition regards as its future prime minister if it wins federal power, had earlier said he was bracing for a conviction, which could result in a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Najib's administration said the judgment showed that Malaysia's legal system was free from government interference, despite claims to the contrary by opposition activists.
The case rested mainly on testimony by Anwar's 26-year-old accuser, Saiful Bukhari Azlan, and semen samples found on Saiful's body that investigators said matched Anwar's DNA.
High Court Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah said his decision was founded on concerns that the DNA evidence was tainted.
The verdict is expected to have a major impact on general elections that most politicians believe will be held some time this year.
Anwar is the opposition's most charismatic politician and is considered the figure who can best hold the three ideologically distinct parties in his alliance together.
Anwar, a former deputy prime minister and married father of six, was jailed in another sodomy case in 2000 when he was convicted of sodomising his family's ex-driver.
He denied the allegation, and Malaysia's top court released him in 2004 by overturning his conviction and nine-year sentence.
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