Seoul: A court on Friday dismissed former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min's petition against his arrest, keeping him in custody over his alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law. The Seoul Central District Court issued the ruling just hours after holding a hearing to review the legality of his arrest and determine whether it should remain in effect.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the court stated, "Based on the results of the interrogation of the suspect and the case records, we found the request to be groundless and dismissed it." Lee had filed for the review earlier in the day, following the court's issuance of a warrant for his arrest last Friday on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection, abuse of power, and perjury. He was subsequently taken into custody at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, just south of Seoul.
By law, the court is required to question the suspect and study evidence within 48 hours after the request is filed before deciding on whether the arrest was legal and should remain in place. Special prosecutors investigating Yoon's martial law bid have accused Lee of aiding and abetting the martial law imposition in December by not actively stopping Yoon from illegally declaring the decree.
Lee is also suspected of instructing the police and fire agency to cut off power and water to media outlets critical of the then administration. Despite these accusations, Lee's lawyers have reportedly denied most of the allegations against him.