KUALA LUMPUR: In a shocking turnaround of event, Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s father told a group of selected media today that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is innocent of the Sodomy II accusation.
In a hastily arranged press conference, Azlan Mohd Lazim,60, said that Anwar was a victim of a vile political conspiracy.
“My son was used by several unscrupulous individuals, including Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s special officer, Khairil Annas Jusoh.
“These people masterminded the slander against Anwar, using my son,” he alleged.
Last year, Anwar was acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on charges of sodomising Saiful, his former aide.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers appealed against the verdict and the Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear the case on July 22.
Azlan, a semi-retiree, said that he had stood by his son’s accusation against Anwar in the past to provide moral support to Saiful.
“He’s my son and I know he is good person but as I was attending his trial in the last four years, I sensed something was amiss.
“Some people also gave me evidence which convinced me of Anwar’s innocence. As a Malay and a Muslim, I cannot continue being a pawn in this evil scheme of things,” he said.
‘My conscience is clear’
During the question and answer session, Azlan claimed that his previous statements to the media were scripted by his lawyer, Zamri Idrus.
“My lawyers prepared my statements, under the instructions of Khairil,” he alleged.
But he admitted that he has never met Khairil personally but heard about the officer from his son.
“The government did not meet me to discuss the case or even ask my opinion. Everything is carefully handled by Khairil,” said Azlan.
On why his son got involved the plot, Azlan said he was in the dark on the matter.
Whether Saiful is aware of him having a press conference today, Azlan refused to comment.
“If he is unhappy, that is up to him. All I know is that my conscience is clear,” he said.
Azlan added that he was prepared to repeat his statement in court if he was given the space.
“God willing, if I have the opportunity, I will also personally tender an apology to Anwar and his family for the troubles they have undergone,” he said.
Saiful had previously sworn in a mosque that he had been sodomised by Anwar, a charge whichwas always denied by the opposition parliamentarian.
