President of the Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances, Husnu al-Suood, stated that businessmen and gangs exerted influence over the Criminal Court to a degree that certain gangs had a hand in appointing judges.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office on Sunday, Suood claimed that certain gangs have a quota to nominate individuals who are then appointed as judges.
In addition to influencing appointments, Suood revealed other instances of gangs influencing court procedures. According to Suood, judges are complicit in collaborating with gangs to ensure certain people are not convicted and sentenced to prison with regard to murder investigations.
In some cases, the court has refused to issue arrest warrants in necessary cases and issued such court orders to arrest innocent people, he claimed.
Suood also stated that imprisoned people have been released under testimonies given by gang members and that certain murder cases had been covered up entirely. Some judges have also used gangs for personal security.
Suood expressed mistrust of the judges currently serving in the Criminal Court and warned that investigations carried out by the Presidential Commission might become futile if the judicial system remains unreformed.
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