The Criminal Court, on Monday, issued a statement denying claims made by the President of the Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances, Husnu al-Suood, that the court was unreliable as a result of gang influence.
The Criminal Court stated that Suood’s accusations constituted an abuse of a position of authority, an attempt to obstruct the independence of the judiciary and an attempt to stir public unrest.
Furthermore, the Criminal Court asserted that making such statements was not within Suood’s jurisdiction as the president of a commission established to investigate specific types of cases.
The court stated that Suood's claims reveal that the investigative commission's president had already formed an unfavourable opinion regarding the judges.
The Criminal Court condemned Suood’s statements to the media as contempt of court and an attempt to create a negative public opinion of the court’s judges and employees.
The court stated that it was unacceptable to act outside legal procedures established in the constitution to take actions against court judges.
The statement concluded with a guarantee that the Criminal Court would investigate any matters constituting contempt of court.
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, and to 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.
Suood is currently suspended from legal practice by the Supreme Court and the Criminal Court.
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