Justice Minister after meeting al-Rahi: My powers over judiciary are limited
Minister of Justice Henry Khoury met Friday with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi over the controversial detention and interrogation of Archbishop Mussa al-Hajj.
Khoury said that dismissing Judge Fadi Akiki is not within his powers as a minister.
"The judiciary is self-governed and the Justice Minister's powers are limited," Khoury said, adding that he can not invest nor judge over the matter.
Khoury said that he had asked State Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat to provide him with the available information regarding al Hajj's file and that he hasn't obtained any answer yet.
Oueidat had said in an press interview, that Akiki had enforced the law by questioning al-Hajj earlier this week upon his return from Israel with large quantities of medicines, foodstuffs and canned goods, in addition to $460,000.
Maronite clerics had asked for the dismissal of Akiki and for the confiscated aid to be returned immediately.
Source: Naharnet
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