Malaysia's courts are to prosecute the country's best known opposition politician for sodomy at a court appearance on Thursday.
Mr Anwar Ibrahim, who had hoped to win a parliamentary seat at a by-election set for August 26th, denies allegations he had sex with a male aide and says they are aimed at derailing his political comeback.
Police said in a statement that prosecutors had decided to prosecute Anwar for "carnal intercourse against the course of nature".
A 23-year man has said that Mr Anwar (60) had sex with him on several occasions, something which is illegal under Malaysia's sodomy laws. If found guilty, Mr Anwar could spend up to 20 year in jail, effectively ending his political ambitions.
News of the court appearance came an hour after Malaysia's Election Commission set a date for a by-election in a parliamentary constituency held by Mr Anwar's wife that he was expected to win easily.
Mr Anwar, who was barred from parliament in April 1999 after being convicted of corruption, plans to hold a confidence vote in the government in which he said he is confident he can win over 30 government MPs so as to win power.
Reuters