Police break up Malaysia demonstration

Police in Malaysia have broken up a demonstration by supporters of the former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, outside a court building in Kuala Lumpur.

Defying police orders, about three-hundred demonstrators had gathered to show support for some thirty people who are due to go on trial for being involved in an earlier pro-Anwar protest.

Mr Anwar was dismissed by the Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, in 1998.

He is already serving a six-year jail term for abusing his official powers.

A verdict on another charge, of sodomy, had been due today Friday but has been postponed.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service