Yoon Suk Yeol is investigated due to the declaration of martial law, which suspends political freedoms, in early December; his arrest could mark the beginning of a long period of custody
The court formally ordered the arrest of the ousted president on Sunday morning (local time, Saturday in Brazil) on charges of insurrection. He is being investigated due to the declaration of martial law, which suspends political freedoms, at the beginning of December. Yoon’s arrest could mark the beginning of a long period of custody, lasting months or more.
The decision to arrest Yoon triggered riots at Seoul’s Western District Court, where dozens of his supporters destroyed the court’s main door and windows. They used plastic chairs and shields that they managed to wrest from the police. Some entered a hallway and were seen throwing objects and using fire extinguishers.
Yoon’s lawyers had been arguing that there was no need to detain him at this stage of the process as he would not pose a threat of escape or destruction of evidence. Investigators say that the ousted president ignored several requests to testify and that the presidential security service prevented an attempt to detain him on the 3rd.
The crisis began when Yoon, in an attempt to break an impasse with Parliament, imposed military rule and sent troops to the National Assembly on December 3. Hours later, congressmen managed to suspend the measure. On December 14, the assembly voted for his impeachment, which is being tried in the country’s Constitutional Court.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Posted by Carolina Ferreira
