Attorney General of Afghanistan: “Fire in Kotai Sangi Business Center of Kabul City shall be prosecuted seriously”

Attorney General of Afghanistan: “Fire in Kotai Sangi Business Center of Kabul City shall be prosecuted seriously”

This issue was discussed in AGO High Council Meeting held on Sunday August 7, 2016 under Chairmanship of Saranpoh Mohammad Farid Hamidi, Attorney General of the country. All members of the AGO High Council participated and discussed important issues and made decisions.

At the beginning of the High Council meeting, the suggestion of Kabul Appellate Prosecution Office was discussed and views were exchanged on whether releasing and detaining of prisoners based on decisions of similar courts on criminal issues is decisive or not? The High Council decided that proceedings of such issues should be according to article 48 of Law on Organizations and Jurisdiction of Courts.

The next issue in the agenda was on investigation of fire in Abasin Zadran Business Center in Kotai Sangi of Kabul City.  The Attorney General said it is the duty of AGO to protect the rights and freedoms of the public and those who were involved in this incident prosecuted seriously.

Mr. Hamidi considers the precautions of crimes as one of the duties of AGO.  Regarding this, the Attorney General established a committee composed of Deputy Attorney General in Investigations Affairs, Fazal Karim Sadat; Head of MoI Prosecution Office, Mohammad Rafi; Prosecutor of Inspection Directorate, Yar Mohammad Hussainkhail: Head of Prosecution Office for Oversighting from Detention and Investigation Organs; and representatives of Kabul Municipality and Ministry of Urban Development and Housing. This committee is under Chairmanship of Deputy Attorney General in Investigations Affairs and shall investigate the factors of this incident in a business center in Kotai Sangi. The High Council considers the existence of fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and the building construction license as issues requiring accurate investigation. The committee will prepare an instruction guide in order to prevent such incidents in the future and formally send to related references.

The issue of investigating crimes using video previously raised in a High Council meeting; and discussed again at this meeting. AGO High Council rejected this draft unanimously because of incompatibilities with the rules, principles, and criterion of investigations.

Meanwhile, the High Council assigned the Deputy Attorney General in Military Affairs to establish a committee in order to amend and draft Military Criminal Procedures Law and Military Crimes Law.

The AGO High Council Meeting is conducted once a week; important issues related to AGO are discussed and decisions made accordingly.