Seoul: A court on Friday dismissed former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min's petition against his arrest, maintaining his detention due to alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Central District Court ruled on the case following a hearing that examined the legality of Lee's arrest. The court concluded that there was no evidence of any legal violations regarding detention procedures and highlighted the potential risk of evidence tampering as justification for the continued custody.
Lee had filed for a review of his arrest earlier in the day, after being taken into custody at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang. His arrest warrant was issued the previous Friday, citing charges of insurrection, abuse of power, and perjury. The law mandates that the court reviews such requests within a 48-hour window to assess the arrest's legality.
Special prosecutors have accused Lee of facilitating Yoon's martial law declaration in December by failing to prevent the illegal decree. Additionally, Lee is suspected of directing the police and fire agency to disrupt media outlets critical of the administration by cutting off their power and water supplies.
Lee's legal team has reportedly denied most of the allegations leveled against him.