About 100 lawyers chanted for justice as the court assembled to hear an appeal from the lawyer, Zainur Zakaria, who faces a three-month jail sentence. Several dozen pro-Anwar activists joined the protest.

At the courthouse, Mr Zainur won a temporary reprieve when a three-judge bench suspended his imprisonment until his appeal could be heard. No date was set for the hearing.

David Willis in Malaysia: "Mr Zainur emerged from the court to cheers"

When Mr Zainur emerged from the courtroom, the lawyers clapped and cheered.

High Court Judge Augustine Paul ordered Mr Zainur jailed on Monday after he refused to apologise for alleging that the prosecutors had tried to fabricate evidence against Mr Anwar.

Mr Zainur's attorney, Raja Aziz Addruse, criticised the sentencing as too harsh, calling it "irregular".

If Mr Zainur had been sent to jail, it would have been the first time in Malaysia that a lawyer was imprisoned for such a long period for contempt while defending a client. Previous such sentences have been a day or two.

Trial continues

Mr Anwar's trial continued with his former driver Azizan Abu Bakir, a key prosecution witness, facing cross examination.

Mr Azizan denied suggestions by the defence that he agreed to accuse Mr Anwar of sodomy in return for money, a good job and company directorships.

Defence counsel Christopher Fernando said: "I put it to you, that the promises were so tempting you were prepared to sell your honour and pride."

But Mr Azizan said he acted because he felt it would be wrong to allow a sodomiser to become prime minister. He had earlier testified that he had delayed making the allegations against Mr Anwar for five years and only came forward after meeting another of Mr Anwar's accusers.

Defence protest over office raid

Earlier this week, Mr Anwar's lawyers complained of harassment after police raided one of their offices on Wednesday.

The prosecution had reported that a document in the case had gone missing, but said they did not accuse the defence.

Mr Anwar's lawyers called for action, but the judge said he had no power to halt police investigations.

Mr Anwar denies 10 charges of sodomy and corruption, which he claims are politically motivated.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad fired him as deputy prime minister on 2 September, saying he had determined he was too immoral to rule.