Anwar faces ten counts of corruption and sodomy, charges he denies and says were politically motivated. His trial, likely to be the most sensational in Malaysian history, begins on Monday and is expected to last through June.Attorney general Mohtar Abdullah said new evidence had surfaced against Anwar and a former tennis partner, S Nallakarruppan, on sex-related charges, the Star newspaper reported.

They ``will be charged after the conclusion of the existing charges against them,'' the attorney general said. No further details were given. Anwar's trial begins with four counts of corruption expected to be heard through November.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad fired Anwar as his deputy on September 2, saying his one-time heir apparent was unfit to lead.

Anwar's casehas become an international spectacle and is expected to draw many foreign journalists, human rights activists, diplomats and justice system observers. Most, however, are likely to be turned away. Chief justice Eusoff Chin said the courtroom chosen for Anwar's case would hold 50 people. No special treatment would be given to foreigner observers, he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

In another setback to international coverage, Justice Chin announced on Thursday that the trial would be held in the national Malay language.