Judiciary council rejects parliamentary criticism of judicial proceedings

Head of the Supreme Judiciary Council and Court of Cassation Hossam al-Gheriany has criticized MPs for describing the trial of ousted President Mubarak as "comic." He rejected calls for the attorney general’s dismissal. In a message to Parliament, read by speaker Saad al-Katatny, Gheriany said the principle of the separation of powers, which allows branches of the government to monitor each other, does not give Parliament the authority to intervene in judicial matters. “Egyptian judges have struggled to prevent intervention by the executive authority into judiciary affairs,” he said. “When the revolution broke out, they ensured fair elections in spite of security and political failures, which resulted in you becoming representatives for the Egyptians.” “We didn’t think that Parliament would start off describing trials with comedy,” he added, saying that Parliament’s role is to discuss and issue judiciary law, not to comment on court rulings. Gheriany responded to demands that the attorney general be fired by saying: “In 1984, judges decided that the executive authority cannot fire the attorney general. It is very unexpected that members of Parliament are calling for his dismissal.” Cairo - Al masry al youm