BEIRUT:
Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi denied Monday recent media reports that
accused the judiciary of bowing to public pressure and kowtowing to demands of
foreign states.
Qortbawi
defended the independence of the judiciary, countering media reports suggesting
that a foreign country is pushing a candidate to replace Public Prosecutor
Saeed Mirza, who will resign from his position at the end of July.
“Such
news reports harm the judicial body, its reputation and the judges whose names
were listed. It also belittles the judiciary, which should be kept away from
politics and political bickering because a strong, independent judiciary is the
only guarantee for us all,” Qortbawi said in a statement.
“It
seems that those who release such reports pretend to forget that appointing a
public prosecutor begins with a suggestion from the justice minister,” he
continued. “Everyone knows that I chose candidates based on judicial
considerations ... I am the one who decides, based on personal convictions
alone.”
Qortbawi
also took the media to task for judging the guilt of suspects in criminal cases
before the judiciary is able to complete its investigations.
“Some
recent unfortunate incidents have directed the spotlight on judicial
investigations,” said Qortbawi. “However, the way in which some have been
addressing this issue runs counter to the interests of the country and the
people as it gives the appearance that the attention was exerting pressure on
the judiciary and [the reports] were jumping to conclusions.”
Some
recent coverage of judicial cases have portrayed suspects as guilty, including
the case of Dr. Musa Abu Hamad, who has being investigated in the sudden death
of a patient.
“Judges
should be allowed to decide on cases in an atmosphere of calm. Pressure by
public or the media, the issuing of accusations and verdicts by the media and
not by the courts, all of this behavior will have negative repercussions on
those who have an interest in an independent judiciary,” said Qortbawi.
“I remind all who have
doubts on a particular verdict that there are legal ways to appeal the verdicts
before other courts, and not in the street or the media” he said.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/Jun-19/177304-qortbawi-denies-judiciary-bows-to-foreign-pressure.ashx#axzz1yDcCuqbU
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