Civic groups slam court ' s rejection to arrest Samsung ' s Lee in controversial merger case SEOUL , June 9 ( Yonhap ) -- South Korean civic groups criticized a court ' s decision Tuesday to deny an arrest warrant sought for Samsung Group ' s de facto leader Lee Jae - yong in a succession - related probe . Calling the decision " an act that disregards equality before the law , " the Seoul - based People ' s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy expressed " deep regret " at the decision made " in the face of the gravity of the criminal allegations " and a risk of him " destroying evidence . " " Imagine how a court would rule if it were an ordinary citizen who committed similar crimes , " it said in a statement , arguing that the move is " highly unfair and could only be seen as preferential treatment for Vice Chairman Lee . " In the early hours of Tuesday , the Seoul Central District Court rejected the prosecution ' s request to put Lee , vice chairman of Samsung Electronics , behind bars , over an on - going probe into a series of allegations , including stock manipulation and violation of capital laws . He is accused of playing a role in the controversial merger in 2015 between two Samsung affiliates , Cheil Industries Inc . and Samsung C & T , that the prosecutors suspect was designed to help him gain greater control of the country ' s biggest conglomerate . Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics Lee Jae - yong leaves the Seoul Detention Center , located in Uiwang , south of Seoul , on June 9 , 2020 , after a court denied the issuance of an arrest warrant . ( Yonhap ) " The case should be handled in a serious manner , " the group said , as it believed that his alleged illegal transactions were aimed at a father - to - son " transfer of power . " Lee is the grandson of Lee Byung - chull , the founder of Samsung Group . His father , Lee Kun - hee , has been incapacitated since he suffered a heart attack in 2014 . The court denied issuing the warrant , on the grounds that there was " insufficient explanation on the need and validity to arrest the defendants against the principle of trial without detention , " and that whether Lee is guilty should be determined through " legal battles and court hearings . " Another group , Economic Democracy 21 , also released a statement , urging the prosecution to file a request for an arrest warrant again by bolstering evidence . The court on Tuesday also denied arrest warrants for two other Samsung executives , Choi Gee - sung and Kim Jong - joong , from the group ' s now - disbanded control tower , the Future Strategy Office , who are suspected of leading the group ' s efforts to help smooth out the succession process for Lee . jaeyeon . woo @ yna . co . kr ( END )