Relatives seek justice for striking prisoners

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Relatives of prisoners observing hunger strike on Tuesday staged a protest demonstration in the capital of western Herat province, accusing judicial officials of corruption.

A large number of prisoners at the central jail in Herat City, the provincial capital, have been denying food over the past seven days.

The protesting inmates insist they would talk only to a powerful delegation from Kabul and have rejected talks with local officials.

An attorney at the provincial Prosecutor’s Office, Gul Ahmad Ramish, told Pajhwok Afghan News 160 prisoners had been on hunger strike since Tuesday last.

He said demands of the prisoners included no exclusion of specific prisoners from presidential decrees issued on special occasions to cut short jail terms and review of their cases already decided by attorneys or courts.

Their relatives on Tuesday staged a protest. Hussain Sadiqi, one of the protestors, said judges sought bribes to issue release orders for those who had committed no crime.

He said a majority of the prisoners were held at the prison beyond the expiry of their jails terms, but their cases remained neglected.

The protestors who gathered near the Governor’s House said only fight against corruption in judicial offices could help promote justice.

Khalil Ahmad Barakzai, another protestor, accused judges of receiving money in bribe to release wanted criminals and put innocent or less involved people behind the bars.

Provincial officials said demands of the protesters were above their powers to meet. They said a delegation from Kabul was expected to visit Herat and consider demands of the protestors.

nh/ma

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