A Seoul court has again refused prosecutors' request to extend the detention of Yoon, the sitting South Korean head of state, who was arrested last week amid allegations of insurrection. The court, citing a lack of sufficient grounds, has maintained its stance despite repeated appeals from prosecutors. Yoon, who remains in a detention centre in Seoul, stands accused of attempting to destroy evidence related to his brief yet controversial martial law declaration. His legal team argues that the ongoing investigation exceeds the legal authority granted to the prosecutors.
Yoon's detention follows a dramatic dawn raid last week, marking the first time a sitting South Korean leader has been detained in a criminal investigation. He faces accusations surrounding his martial law decree, which was swiftly overturned by lawmakers after merely six hours. The document related to his case is set to expire on Tuesday, yet prosecutors persist in their efforts to lengthen Yoon's detention period.
The court's decision comes amidst heightened political tensions, with Yoon's separate hearing at the Constitutional Court looming. If the court upholds his impeachment, Yoon would be officially ousted from office, prompting an election that must be held within 60 days. This development adds another layer of uncertainty to the country's political landscape.
While the rejection of the detention extension poses a setback for prosecutors, it does not mark the end of their efforts. They have already requested another extension, underscoring their determination to build a robust case against Yoon. However, the court's ruling underscores a significant challenge they face: establishing legally sound grounds for his continued detention.
Yoon's defense team maintains that the investigation lacks proper legal foundation, suggesting that procedural missteps have tainted the prosecutorial process. Yoon himself has steadfastly refused to cooperate with investigators, highlighting his legal team's assertions of overreach by authorities.
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