Waat County officials decry lack of judges

Authorities in Waat County of Bieh State say the lack of judges in the county poses a security threat in the county.

Authorities in Waat County of Bieh State say the lack of judges in the county poses a security threat in the county.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Saturday, Isaac Pur Ruot, the county commissioner said many suspects in police custody have been held for many months without trial due to lack of judges.

He said the situation is now getting out of hand and is fuelling tensions among the communities.

“There are 45 youths at our detention facility for the use and dealings in illicit drugs. There are also seven murder suspects. Some of them were arrested since May but they have not been tried. We only have traditional courts but they can't handle these issues, they handle marriage disputes and things concerning cultures,” Pur explained.

He added, “Those whose relatives were killed sometimes go for avenge as justice delays. This has created tensions and caused more deaths among the locals."
 
Moreover, Pur noted that despite the lack of justice, the suspects are living in squalid conditions in congested cells without proper health care and adequate food.
 
“We only have two facilities; a 4m by 5m and 6m by 4m whose capacities are only about 7 and 10 people respectively. But now there are more than 45 suspects in them,” he said.

Commissioner Pur appealed to the national government and relevant aid agencies operating in the county to intervene.