Malaysia’s reformist icon Anwar Ibrahim freed
He received a royal pardon after Mahathir Mohamad’s election win.
Malaysia’s reformist icon Anwar Ibrahim has been freed from custody after receiving a royal pardon, paving the way for a political comeback following his alliance’s stunning election victory.
The 70-year-old was convicted of sodomy in 2015 in a case he said was aimed at crushing his alliance after making gains against Malaysia’s long-ruling coalition government.
His sentence expires on June 8 but the unexpected election win of his alliance led by former leader Mahathir Mohamad in May 9 polls led to his swift release.
Mr Anwar waved to reporters as he was whisked from a hospital on Wednesday where he was recovering from a shoulder surgery.
He is prime minister-in-waiting but unlikely to take over quickly from Mr Mahathir.
