Judges’ Association condemns assault on Benghazi member

Tripoli, 24 February 2013

The Libyan Judges’ Association has revealed that one of its members was beaten up when arrested and detained for five days.

In a statement, the Association, which has not named the judge involved, said that it had “received with sorrow the news of the assault on a member of the judiciary system, who is also a member of the Public Prosecution, serving as an Associate Prosecutor at Benghazi North College Prosecution Office. This judiciary member was arrested and physically and verbally assaulted and was detained for five days. This is considered an unprecedented and an alarming sign of what is to come, which may be far worse.”

The statement continued: “The incident constitutes a flagrant violation of the provisions of the Judiciary Act, in particular articles 97-98, which clearly stipulate the rules and principles and investigation procedures. as well as the boosting of immunity of judicial members, which has been trampled underfoot and ignored altogether in this incident.”

The Association said that it regarded the assault on the judge as an attack on the prestige of the judiciary system itself and its integrity.

It continued: “The Association confirms that it is closely following-up this particular incident and the actions taken, including addressing the head of the Supreme Council of Judges and the Attorney-General in respect of launching a full and thorough investigation into the incident, and to take all necessary legal measures to ensure the re-establishment of the prestige and integrity of the judiciary system and to protect it and preserve the dignity of all its members.”

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