AGO conducts its weekly High Council Meeting

The High Council of Attorney General’s Office (AGO) met on Saturday, February 19, 2017.  The meeting was chaired by Saranpoh Mohammad Farid Hamidi, Attorney General of Afghanistan, with participation of AGO deputies and High Council members to discuss significant issues.

Discussion began with an investigative report of a Criminal Investigation Directorate and Counter Corruption case related to Asmaiee Zone 101 Police Headquarters. Fraidon Obaide, Kabul Crime Investigations Chief, participated in the Council meeting. Issues discussed included bribery, house searches, legal issues, murders, and abduction cases; council members reviewed methods to strengthen coordination between police and the prosecution.     

The High Council decided to establish a joint commission consisting of Ministry of Interior (MoI), National Directorate of Security, and AGO officials. This commission is responsible to figure out effective solutions to the challenges and refer them back to High Council for final decision. Meanwhile, establishment of a cooperative mechanism between police and prosecution is another responsibility of the commission.  

In addition, the Council discussed the Counter Corruption and Duty Offenses Prosecution Office regarding the accusation of Directorate for Combating Crimes against Internal and External Security Prosecution unit, accused of facilitating a prisoner escape. The High Council assigned the Audit Directorate to perform necessary investigations and present its finding to the High Council.

Members also discussed replacement of security measures of AGO and the Supreme Court based on approved letters, 11843 of the National Procurement Authority and 22050 of the Ministry of Finance, according to procurement law and accounting standards of 2017 fiscal budget for the mentioned entities.  The High Council decided that MoI should process payment of the funds.

Afterwards, High Council members discussed the AGO opinion about the assigned inspection committee on Detention Centers using an alternative to detention. The committee performed a scrutiny review regarding the Memorandum of Understanding of Juvenile Social Welfare Organization with AGO, the Supreme Court, Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MLSAMD), Ministry of Justice, and MoI.

The Council decided to notify MLSAMD of the AGO intention of supporting public rights and specifically, the juvenile rights and interests. The AGO administration will monitor both enforcement of the mentioned provision and Juvenile Correction Centers on a continuous basis.

The meeting concluded with promotion approval of Saranpal Mohammad Hakim Hakimi, Chief of Primary Prosecution Office for Serious Corruption Crimes, to Saranpoh grade.   

The AGO High Council Meeting is conducted once a week and it is the highest decision making authority of the Attorney General’s Office.