The Justice Ministry announced yesterday the suspension of three judges from the Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office (PAC) in Antananarivo. According to an official statement, the suspension follows "failures in the exercise of their duties, particularly in case management, as well as non-compliance with obligations and responsibilities inherent to their functions."
The ministry emphasized that "no one is above the law" and that "laws, regulations and provisions governing Justice and penitentiary administration personnel are applied with rigor, impartiality and without distinction."
Unofficial sources suggest the judges were accused of shirking responsibility for handling cases. The suspension decision was made by the PAC Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (CSE) following inspections and evaluations by the Bureau responsible for court oversight, as well as consultations with Supreme Court leadership.
According to judicial sources, the suspension is provisional and can last a maximum of six months. Disciplinary investigations must be completed within six months under PAC law. The final outcome of these investigations will determine the judges' fate.
The PAC are specialized judicial entities handling corruption cases and related offenses. Judges are appointed for three-year terms, renewable once.
The statement also noted the suspension of fifteen penitentiary agents at Imerintsiatosika prison for disciplinary violations following an escape on August 7.