Special prosecutor operating from DPP's office on INDECOM cases

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn, has disclosed that a special prosecutor has been operating from her office for the last year, to deal with cases from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).

However, she is dismissing the view that the prosecutor was appointed because of weaknesses in the cases submitted by INDECOM.

Government MP, Damion Crawford, who has declared he is anti-INDECOM, made the suggestion on social media yesterday, claiming that the DPP has been unwilling to take up cases from the oversight body.

However, Llewellyn explains that her office has to meet a high standard for prosecution of cases in the high court.

She says it was necessary to engage the prosecutor to help INDECOM, given the newness of the agency and the kinds of cases that the body has to deal with.

Last week, Crawford, who has called for the closure of INDECOM, said the agency is more into public relations than performance.

According to him, the Commission has failed to meet its objectives of probing the actions of the security forces and abuse of the rights of citizens. 

Meanwhile, the DPP is among several key figures who have supported government efforts to establish an oversight body for INDECOM.