Cutting Through the [Legal] Red Tape

Boy, here in the West, we have the right to a speedy trial, a legal doctrine inspired by the well-known principle that "justice delayed is justice denied." But, it seems that the "new and improved" Afghanistan has an even speedier way of handling criminal matters. Here's how it works.

A high-level government official is accused of corruption, and before you can say "Afghanistan", President Hamid Karzai calls his Attorney General on the phone and has the guy released. In the latest - probably, not the last - case, a presidential adviser on financial matters had been detained and the Attorney General had just announced it in a press conference, when Karzai called and ordered him to release the official. As I said, this has happened, at least, once before.

So, there you have it: "speedy justice", Afghan style.

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