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| Afghanistan |
| Helmand Court Convicts 25 Officials Of Corruption, Land Grabbing |
| 2016-05-02 |
| In a ruling announced on Sunday, an appeals court in the southern province of Helmand found at least 25 individuals guilty of corruption and land-grabbing – a ruling that sparked widespread public support. Among those who welcomed the move included residents along with some government officials and provincial council members. The ruling comes amid growing calls by the public for government to step up its efforts to tackle such crime which has severely overshadowed transparency and rule of law in the country. Those convicted by the court include the head of the local irrigation department, the head of the local public works affairs department, head of labor and social affairs department and some other officials in the province. "The majority of the defendants convicted today are Helmand local officials who have been found guilty either of corruption or land grabbing. We will no longer keep silent against land usurpers and corruption," Fazel Sultan Safai, head of Helmand appeals court said, Meanwhile, Hayatollah Hayat, the governor of Helmand province promised justice will be served in these cases. "I appreciate the verdict of Helmand appeal court and promise to refer these cases to legal and judicial institutions," he said. In addition, Helmand provincial council has also welcomed the verdict, calling the move an important step in fighting corruption and implementing the law. "We strongly support the action taken by the appeal court and hope that the law will be implemented on the land grabbers and corrupt elements," member of Helmand's provincial council Bashir Shakir said. According to the Helmand appeal court, there are certain individuals in the education and health departments who are also being investigated on charges of corruption. |
| Posted by:badanov |