DRC launches new court to fight economic crime
DRC economic crime court has been launched as the Democratic Republic of Congo moves to strengthen its fight against corruption, financial crime, and the misuse of public resources.
The new special court was created following an order issued last week by President Félix Tshisekedi. Known as the Criminal Court for Economic and Financial Crimes, the institution will be responsible for trying cases involving corruption, embezzlement of public funds, and money laundering.
The court will operate independently and will have its own budget, which will be allocated within the national budget. Its headquarters will be based in Kinshasa, with the possibility of opening secondary offices in other parts of the country.
According to the order, the court will be made up of two chambers: a trial court and an appeals chamber. It will include at least forty judges, among them twenty career magistrates and twenty associate judges.
An office of the prosecutor for economic and financial crimes will also be attached to the court in order to investigate and prosecute offences that fall under its jurisdiction.
All ongoing economic crime cases currently pending before ordinary courts will be transferred to this new structure once it becomes operational.
The Criminal Court for Economic and Financial Crimes is expected to become fully operational within three months from the date the order enters into force.
The move is seen as a strong signal of the authorities’ commitment to improving transparency and reinforcing the fight against corruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Writer: Mecamedia Africa
Read more: www.Mecamediaafrica.com
Tags: #DRC #Corruption #EconomicCrime #Tshisekedi #Kinshasa #Justice #Transparency