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Who is Lebanon's Ghada Aoun, maverick judge fired amid anti-corruption efforts?

The Lebanese judiciary’s disciplinary council expelled Judge Ghada Aoun from office over “legal violations.” Aoun has become widely known for her cases against prominent officials and politicians in the country.
Lebanon's judge Ghada Aoun, dismissed on May 4, 2023 for investigating corruption

BEIRUT — The Lebanese judiciary's disciplinary council issued a ruling on Thursday to remove from office Judge Ghada Aoun who has been investigating corruption cases, the official National News Agency said.

A senior judicial source told Reuters that the disciplinary council, which looks into matters relating to the conduct of administrative judges, voted unanimously to expel Aoun after receiving several complaints against her over her work.

According to local reports, the expulsion came after the council's head, judge Jamal al-Hajjar, summoned Aoun over legal violations including making statements on cases to the media and on social media — which judges are prohibited from doing.

Speaking to reporters after leaving the council session, Aoun condemned the decision, describing it as “malicious prosecution.” She said she was being punished for doing her job to fight corruption, which no one else dared to do.

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