Fresh from campaigning in the Merlimau by-election last night, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is back in the dock for his sodomy trial which resumes this afternoon at the High Court with submission being heard on the defence application for a trial-within-a-trial.

This follows the prosecution's application to try to admit a number of items as evidence - a mineral water bottle, a toothbrush, a ‘Good morning’ towel and a strand of hair - retrieved from a cell where Anwar was detained overnight between July 16 and July 17, 2008.

Three of the items - the mineral water bottle, toothbrush and towel - were found by chemist Nor Aidora Saedon to contain the DNA of ‘Male Y’ , complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan's alleged perpetrator.

Defence lawyer Karpal Singh had requested for a trial-within-a-trial to decide on the admissibility of those items as evidence which he claimed to have been obtained unfairly and in an illegal manner.

For the prosecution, solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden argued that the defence must show the accused was either threatened, had given those items under duress or was induced to give them.

Yesterday, the prosecution produced seven police officers to explain the manner the items were retrieved from Anwar's cell, which was done without the knowledge of the accused.

This is seen as a pivotal moment in Anwar's trial as its admissibility or non-admissibility of the evidence will either make or break the prosecution case.

High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah had yesterday ruled that he would hear submissions on this crucial matter today.

LIVE REPORTS

2.27pm: Anwar arrives with his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution.

Court is quite packed compared to yesterday with already 67 people in the public gallery.

The quota for Anwar's family passes had all be taken by 2.05pm.

2.32pm: The prosecution team led by solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden ( left ) is ready and awaiting for all defence lawyers to arrive.

2.34pm: Defence lawyers Sankara Nair and Param Cumaraswamy enter courtroom.

2.38pm: Yusof chats with Param and Sankara, while Anwar, who is standing near the public gallery, is talking to Saifuddin.

Police having tough time to control the rather large crowd outside.

2.45pm: Still awaiting for top defence lawyer Karpal Singh to arrive.

2.47pm: The court is packed to the brim as all seats are full.

2.54pm: Karpal arrives and takes his place among other members of the defence.

2.55pm: Court in session with justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah presiding.

Karpal ( right ) begins his submission saying those items should remain as ID and excluded as evidence. He says the arrest of Anwar was unlawful.