The Supreme Judicial Council Issued a decision on Tuesday banning judges and prosecutors from appearing on satellite television stations and from making press statements concerning court proceedings, trials and judges.
In a statement, Head of the Court of Cassation Judge Hossam Ghariani said that according to the decision, judges and prosecutors are also banned from calling into radio or television shows.
According to the statement, a judge who does not abide by these rules will be in violation of his or her judicial duties. The council said that the decision was issued following the review of Article 72 of the Judicial Authority Law, and due to the current political situation, with the public’s best interest in mind.
In May, Minister of Justice Mohamed al-Guindi referred three judges to investigation after they appeared on a satellite television station to call for the end of military trials for civilians. According to a judicial source, there are currently no laws against the appearance of judges in the media or against their issuing of press statements.
According to Article 72, which the decision was based upon, judges are banned from entering into business relationships or from taking any actions inconsistent with judicial independence and dignity.
The same article states, “The Supreme Judicial Council may prevent any judge from engaging in any act it considers as interfering with the duties and performance of the job."
Translated from the Arabic Edition
