A lawyer in Aden has filed a complaint alleging verbal abuse and aggressive behavior by security personnel within the Al-Mansoura courthouse, sparking widespread condemnation from legal and human rights circles in the interim capital. The incident is seen as a grave indicator of declining judicial authority and the overreach of security agencies within the justice system. According to the official complaint lodged by lawyer Madiha Ali Al-Shaush, the altercation began while she was representing clients in two cases—drug possession and fraud—before the criminal judge. Al-Shaush stated that an armed, masked guard obstructed her path and prevented her from speaking with her client in the detention cell after the session. The guard later approached her in a crude manner, demanding silence and gesturing aggressively with his hand and a raised voice in front of the bench, disregarding her legal standing and right to defense. The alleged misconduct extended beyond intimidation, with the lawyer noting selective treatment and questionable practices within the courtroom. She observed that a defendant in a fraud case was permitted to leave the dock and sit freely with relatives, while she and her clients in other cases faced restrictions. This disparity prompted her to protest the blatant double standard. The complaint further details that the abuse escalated when Al-Shaush moved to the courthouse courtyard to discuss the security breaches with a member of the Public Prosecution. Another officer reportedly intentionally blew cigarette smoke into her face and made threatening gestures near her eyes, uttering offensive remarks in front of onlookers. The military police, responsible for court security, were reportedly absent or failed to intervene. Legal professionals in Aden have described the incident as an "unprecedented degradation" in the treatment of lawyers, who are considered officers of the court. Observers noted that transforming the courthouse from a sanctuary of justice into a site of security thuggery undermines the remaining dignity of state institutions. In her complaint, Al-Shaush stated, "These actions not only violate my personal dignity but also undermine the prestige of the judiciary and contravene laws mandating respect for lawyers during the performance of their duties. Had I not exercised restraint, the situation could have escalated with severe consequences." She has urged the Bar Association and human rights organizations in Aden to launch an immediate investigation into the involved personnel and hold accountable those responsible for court security who permitted such transgressions, to ensure the protection of lawyers and preserve the sanctity of the courts from the unchecked actions of security units. |
