Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was acquitted on Monday in a stunning climax to a two-year sodomy trial and quickly set his sights on ousting the long-ruling coalition in upcoming polls.
The unexpected decision set off pandemonium at the Kuala Lumpur High Court where Anwar, a former deputy premier who was sacked in 1998 and jailed on earlier sodomy charges, was mobbed by jubilant family and friends.
"Thank God, justice has been served," Anwar told reporters in the courtroom after being cleared of sexual misconduct with a young male aide, charges he said were a conspiracy to cripple his resurgent opposition alliance.
Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett reports from Kuala Lumpur.
