The Parliament has approved plans to question Dr. Ghazi al-Aghbari, Minister of Justice, after a request issued by over 80 MPs was received in Thursday's parliamentary session. The MP's want to question al-Aghbari over the arrest of MP al-Barati, who is suspected by the judiciary of involvement in the murder of the Khidair District General Manager.
MP Abdulrazaq al-Ahajuri, read the memorandum of questions on behalf of the signatories who have accused the Minister of Justice of defending the grave legal breaches committed by the executive judicial authorities in Taiz governorate against MP al-Barati, including their accusations of deception.
The parliament showed overwhelming support for the questioning and asked the government to approve a scheduling session today, which will lead to a withdrawal of trust from the Minister.
The committee assigned to verify the soundness of procedures against MP al-Barati, regarding the murder of Khidair's General Director Al-Shawafi, concluded that no charges of involvement of the MP al-Barati as indicated in the Ministry of Justice's message were proven. The committee pointed out the MP's arrest was a flagrant constitutional breach in light of the lack of evidence against him.
Some MPs, including MP Ahmed al-Khulani, State Minister for Parliament and the Shoura Council, called for patience until Saturday when participants would hear the results of the Supreme Judicial meeting. The Supreme Judicial Council has assigned the Attorney General to prepare a report on the case, however some MPs insist on the immediate withdrawal of trust from Minister al-Aghbari.
MP Ali Ashal, described the likely response of the Supreme Judicial Council which accuses the parliament of intervening in their affairs. The Council sees the intervention as an insult that should not be allowed and Parliament is likely to respond claiming that it was its duty.
MP Ashal accused the judiciary of using oppressive measures against the parliament, adding that if the parliament gave up this case, it would be legally defeated and would only contribute to the embarrassing situation surrounding MP al-Barati. The committee's report has affirmed that he is not guilty for the murder.
In a related issue MP Sakhr al-Wajih denied the parliament's intention to enter into quarrel with the judiciary, however he added that they were ready to enter into this quarrel in order to defend the Constitution and law. Al-Wajih added that this case has disclosed the partiality of the judiciary and its dependency, in addition to the weakness of the security authority and parliament.
MP Mohammed Bin Naji al-Shaif described the incidences surrounding the al-Barati arrest as an insult to the parliament and requested that the MPs show bravery even if it is just for one day.
MP Abdul-Rahman Ba Fadhl affirmed al-Shaif's point and said that a small parliament like that of the Kuwait could topple three governments, while we couldn't withdraw trust from a general manager. He called for parties to distinguish between the executive and judicial authorities. He ensured parliament and MP's that their opponents are the executive authority, represented by the Justice Minister.
MP Ba Fadhl supported his colleagues' steps of questioning and their withdrawal of trust. MP Abdo Bishr accused the Supreme Judicial Council of fanaticism and lack of professionalism in this case, and he added that their constitutional citation in their last meeting was irrelevant.
MP Abo Heliqa said that the legislative and judiciary authorities are currently undergoing a constitutional crisis which has been escalated by the meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council and their incorrect interpretation of the constitutional provisions.
MP Faisal al-Shawafi, a relative of the deceased Director Ahmed al-Shawafi said that some MPs have been biased in their judgments and ensured the Parliament of al-Barati's involvement in the murder. He also said that investigation evidence submitted to the committee was dependent on the findings of the directorate's security manager who is one of the suspects in the murder incident.
He also questioned how security could allow 40 armed individuals affiliated to al-Barati to enter the government complex and murder the General Director. He assured that the murder was carried out through the complicity of some elements inside the directorate
© Yemen Observer 2009
