Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim pardoned, walks out of hospital

KUALA LUMPUR - Jailed Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim was granted a full pardon on Wednesday and walked free out of a hospital in Kuala Lumpur where he has been undergoing treatment.

Smiling and waving to supporters, Anwar, 70, was wearing a black suit with a tie. He was surrounded by his family, lawyers and prison guards before getting into a car and driving to the palace for an audience with the king.

Jailed Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim gestures as he leaves a hospital where he is receiving treatment, ahead of an audience with Malaysia's King Muhammad V of Kelantan, in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Ibrahim was pardoned by the king. Reuters/Lai Seng Sin

"The pardons board has already met and the king has granted a full pardon, which means all past convictions have been expunged," said Sivarasa Rasiah, Anwar's lawyer. —Reuters