Human rights monitors estimate that pretrial detainees arrested without warrants and imprisoned without charge make up more than 90 percent of the prison population. The authorities do not routinely observe bail procedures. There were no known cases of forced exile. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary, but judges, who are poorly trained and poorly paid, are sometimes subject to political pressures and corruption. Trials involving state security are conducted by civilian courts.
Military courts try only cases of a military nature.
The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal for both civilian and military cases. The President has the authority to grant pardons and reduce sentences. Despite its problems, the judicial system is sometimes capable of providing a fair trial, even in controversial cases. Several policemen were convicted of being accomplices to armed robbery in September and were awaiting sentencing at year's end. Citizens who cannot afford an attorney have the right to a court- appointed lawyer.