The Supreme Court, on Monday, announced its decision to investigate claims made by President of the Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances, Husnu al-Suood, in which he asserted that the Criminal Court was unreliable as a result of gang influence.
The Criminal Court itself released a statement later the same day denying Suood’s claims and condemning the accusations as contempt of court, an attempt to stir public unrest and an attempt to obstruct the independence of the judiciary.
Suood made his accusations to the media on Sunday during at a press conference held at the President’s Office. The renowned lawyer claimed that local gangs held enough influence in the Criminal Court to have a hand in the appointment of judges.
Additionally, the judges were also accused of collaborating with gangs to cover up murder investigations, ensure that certain individuals were not convicted or sentenced. Suood also provided several other examples of gangs influencing court procedures.
Suood expressed mistrust of the current Criminal Court judges and warned that investigations carried out by the Presidential Commission might become futile if the judicial system remains unreformed.
The President of the investigative commission has a history of suspensions over various issues and is currently barred from legal practice by both the Supreme Court and the Criminal Court.
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