KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and two of his allies were Tuesday charged with breaking laws during a massive street rally in April to demand electoral fairness.

Anwar, his deputy in the People's Justice Party, Azmin Ali, and a party division chief were accused on Tuesday of attending an illegal street protest and instigating protesters to break a police barricade.

The charges could distract Anwar from preparing for national elections later this year.

The three men pleaded innocent. They face a maximum jail sentence of six months and fines totaling 12,000 ringgit ($3,800) if convicted.

"It is clearly a politically motivated charge. Elections are around the corner," Anwar told mediapersons.

Prime Minister Najib Razak and other officials have accused the opposition of trying to create chaos at the rally.

If Anwar and Azmin are fined the maximum amount, they stand the risk of losing their Parliament seats.

Some 50,000 people had demonstrated near the Independent Square on April 28 demanding clean and fair elections. The police retaliated with teargas and water cannon and arrested 512 people.

More than 100 including two policemen and two journalists were injured and had to be hospitalised.

Anwar's wife and his daughters appeared in the court room on Tuesday.

Former prosecutor, Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden who had led in previous sodomy trials against Anwar also appeared in court arguing on his behalf.