The court, indicted Anwar on five counts of corruption and four of sodomy, while denying him bail even as he pleaded not guilty to the allegations leveled against him by authorities in a sessions court.

In response to each charge, Anwar replied, ``Not guilty, I claim trial,'' the national Bernama news agency reported.

Anwar, detained on September 20 under the Internal Security Act providing for detention without trial, complained to court that he had been beaten till he fainted on his first night in custody.

The former deputy prime minister, who appeared in court for the first time with a swollen eye and bruises, told the judge, ``I appeal to you to protect me as even in police lock up, I can be beaten up.''

``You can see it for yourself. After 10 days it is still like this,'' he said drawingthe court's attention to his injuries. The former protege of Prime Minister Mohathir Mohammad was sacked on September 2 for demanding the latter's resignation.

Anwar said police beat him ``severely, causing serious injuries'' until he ``virtually passed out until the next morning.''

``I was blindfolded and handcuffed. I was boxed very hard on my lower jaw and left eye. I was also boxed on the right of my head and they hit me on the left side of my neck very hard,'' Anwar said.

``I was then slapped very hard left and right until blood came out of my nose and my lips cracked. Because of this, I could not see or walk properly,'' he said.

Judge Hasna Datuk Mohd Hashim said ``she cannot do anything'' as the case had been transferred to the high court but permitted an eye doctor and a physician to examine him.

If convicted on charges of corruption, Anwar faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and fine of 5,263 dollars while sodomy charges could attract jail for 20 years or caning under the penal code,officials said.

Anwar, who appeared to have lost weight, sat on a bench flanked by two police officials. He was allowed to talk to his wife and children, before being led away, Bernama said.

Talking to mediapersons outside the court, an undaunted Anwar said, ``I am more convinced that we must change and fight (on).''

Earlier, the attorney general's office said there was prima facie evidence to charge Anwar for the offences. The sacked minister would also face a fifth charge of sodomy on Wednesday in a court in Petaling Jaya on the outskirts of the capital.

Even as he arrived in the court, around 100 riot policemen with helmets, batons and shields broke up a protest gathering of thousands of demonstrators calling on Mahathir to step down. It was the fifth demonstration in the Indonesian capital in the last nine days.