Court Postpones Decision on Police to Secure Justice

Farkhunda primary court postponed issuing a verdict on 19 police officers who have been charged with criminal negligence and dereliction of duty.

Dozens of suspected men family members’, human right advocate activists, lawmakers and civil society activists was waiting in the court to hear the judicial board decision being made on 19 police members, but the judge announced they need more time to make a decision.

“A fair trial requires time in order to avoid releasing any guilty and to avoid punishing someone innocent, so the judicial board decided to postpone announcing any verdict today in order to make sure justice is being executed”.

Judge Safiullah Mujadedi emphasized that he has made this decision to investigate the case properly and secure justice.

Earlier, he sentenced four men to death by hanging for their role in the lynching of Farkhuna, charged eight men with 16 years in prison for involvement in the case, and announced another eighteen men as innocent due to the lack of evidence against them.

A number of lawmakers and civil society activists are concerned. They believe the court has failed to secure justice properly.

MP Farkhunda Zahra Naderi said,” I’m not against postponing, but I’m worried more about the justice. The court could not apply the required justice in this case.”

“We are not following this issue seriously because of minor police members who have neglected on their duties; we are caring more about the police chief, criminal investigation office and other high ranking officials. If the court punish police members, they must punish from top to bottom levels,” Humaira Qaderi, a civil society activist said.

Judge Mujadedi called his decision transparent and fair. He warns those who claim irresponsibly about the case to be trailed.

“We are not allowing anyone to interfere into our decisions; if they do so, we will prosecute these people”.

Sharifullah’s mother, a man who also known as Sharaf Baghlani and was sentenced to death by hanging, said the decision was not fair.

“My son did not had a case, is there any law in this country? I will kill myself if the court does not give me his right,” Sharaf’s mother demanded.

Probably the decision was postponed due to complains raised on the 18 suspects released by the court, but the court emphasize they have announced them innocent due to the lack of any evidence against them.

Reported by: Hameed Sediqi