5 injured in explosions near Malaysian court

KUALA LUMPUR - Five people injured in three explosions near a court in Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur, shortly after opposition leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was found not guilty in sodomy case, police said Monday.

The explosions happened near the Kuala Lumpur High Court, where a judge acquitted Anwar of sodomy crime over insufficient evidence in the morning, capping a nearly two-year trial.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohamad Salleh said that first explosion happened at 10:20 am at some 300 meters from the court complex, and the explosive was planted under a police cone. Two people were injured, including a lawyer.

The second blast happened nearby about 25 minutes later, slightly injuring three people. The third explosion happened shortly before 11:00 am and no one was wounded.

All five injured were sent to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment, said Mohamad Salleh.

After the explosions, the police deployed near the court complex in a bid to keep an eye on the gathering by Anwar's supporters, sealed the explosion areas and began searching effort to see if there are any other explosives.

Mohamad Salleh said the explosives were home-made devices with timers, as police had found ball bearings, batteries and wires at the scene. No arrest has been made so far.

A police officer inspects the damage on a motorcycle at one of the three blast locations outside the courthouse in Kuala Lumpur January 9, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]