A government panel suggested Tuesday that decisions by prosecution inquest committees be legally binding and that court-appointed lawyers be allowed to function as prosecutors.
Currently, only prosecutors are empowered to indict. The proposal by the panel under the government's judicial reform task force would break that monopoly.
Inquest committees are set up in 201 district courts and court branches across the country. Victims of crimes or people who file complaints can appeal to the committees if prosecutors decide not to indict.