Strict action should be taken against staff who locked in investigators: President

Government has called on Civil Service Commission (CSC) to take strict action against the staff of Immigration Department who ‘locked in’ the investigators of Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) in their premises.

Press Secretary of the President’s Office Abbas Adil Riza said today that CSC should investigate the case of Immigration Department’s non-cooperation with the ACC investigators.

He said that it is against the government’s policy to obstruct investigations of independent institutions, and that this should not be repeated.

He noted that it was very poor conduct by Immigration Department to trap ACC officials in their office and cut off the power.

“Independent institutions should not be obstructed under any circumstances. The government will not accept this,” he said.

President of CSC Mohamed Fahmy Hassan said that the case has not yet been filed to CSC by any party, but the Commission will investigate it if it is submitted.

ACC has filed the case of its officials being locked up in Immigration Department to the Police. They have also stated that they will use the full authority of ACC to take action against those responsible for the act.

“They treated us in a manner that no government institution should treat anyone. While our investigators were inside the Immigration Department, they turned off the lights, AC, and fans. And they locked the door from outside, leaving us trapped inside. We will not accept this. We strongly condemn this and will not hesitate to take legal action. We will not be silent when people attempt to dishonour our authority in this manner,” he said.