Justice minister Adel Nassar. (Credit: NNA/archives)
BEIRUT — A judge, identified by his initials M.N., was recently suspended from his duties by Justice Minister Adel Nassar, L’Orient-Le Jour learned Tuesday.
The suspension is part of a disciplinary procedure launched in late June by the Judicial Inspection Authority (IJ), then headed by Ayman Oueidate. The case followed a complaint from another judge over suspected corruption. The complaint was supported by testimonies from lawyers who allegedly said M.N. had approached them to reach agreements that could influence judicial decisions, according to an anonymous courthouse source.
The IJ referred the case to the Disciplinary Council of Judges, chaired by Nada Dakroub. The council is currently examining the allegations.
If the allegations are proven, the council could impose sanctions ranging from a formal reprimand to permanent dismissal. Other measures could include delaying a promotion or demotion. M.N. could appeal the decision before the High Disciplinary Committee, headed by Supreme Judicial Council President Souheil Abboud and four other judges.
This is not the first disciplinary case involving M.N. Several years ago, the Supreme Disciplinary Council ordered his dismissal. He appealed, and the High Disciplinary Committee, then headed by Jean Fahd, reduced the penalty to a four-rank demotion.
The suspension will remain in effect while the current proceedings continue. If M.N. appeals the Disciplinary Council’s decision, the High Disciplinary Committee will have the final say on his career.
