The Judicial Inspection Commission in Lebanon referred on Thursday two new judges to the Disciplinary Board following investigations in line with measures to fight corruption in the judicial body.
Justice Minister Albert Serhan recommended on Thursday that the two judges be suspended from work until a decision is made on their status.
Until now, a total of 7 judges have been referred by Serhan to the Disciplinary Board upon the recommendation of the Judicial Inspection Commission.
Last April, Serhan had also referred three judges and several court employees to the Disciplinary Board as part of reform efforts.
Informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that one of the two judges referred to the Disciplinary Board on Thursday holds a sensitive post in Beirut, while the other works at the Justice Palace in Zahleh, in the Beqaa.
The sources said that as a result of the follow-up investigations conducted by the Judicial Inspection Commission, the Commission issued a decision for the referral of two judges to the Disciplinary Board of Judges.
Investigations were launched two months ago after reports showed that the two judges were using their posts to influence the course of judicial files.
A high-ranking judicial source told Asharq Al-Awsat that this procedure does not negatively affect the performance and the reputation of the judicial body.
“Prosecutions against some judges come as part of the self-purification and it affects a small number of judges while the majority of the judicial body operate in total transparency, objectivity and honesty,” the source said, refusing to speak about a “corrupted judiciary.”
The sources said that a decision is about to be issued concerning investigations conducted with the five judges, who were previously referred to the Disciplinary Board.
