The two courts of appeal hear appeals from the civil court, court of magistrates, special tribunals, and from the criminal court, respectively. The criminal court, composed of a judge and nine jurors, hears criminal cases. The juvenile court hears cases involving persons under 16 years of age. The Constitution requires a fair public trial before an impartial court. Defendants have the right to counsel of their choice or, if they cannot pay the cost, to court-appointed counsel at public expense.
Defendants enjoy a presumption of innocence.
They may confront witnesses, present evidence, and have the right of appeal. There were no reports of political prisoners. The Constitution prohibits such practices, government authorities generally respect these prohibitions, and violations are subject to effective legal sanctions. Police officers with the rank of inspector and above may issue search warrants based on perceived reasonable grounds for suspicion of wrongdoing. Reportedly only the Home Affairs Minister and the Prime Minister may issue warrants for telephone tapping, and then only in drug-related cases and matters relating to national security.