Prosecutors investigating a cash-for-candidacy scandal in the ruling Saenuri party strongly protested the court’s decision Friday to reject the arrest warrant sought after a former Saenuri lawmaker suspected of bribery.

“It is a decision that is extremely difficult to understand. We cannot help but view it as an intentional rejection in favor of a certain suspect,” the Busan District Prosecutors’ Office said in a four-page statement on Saturday.

The court denied the prosecutors’ request, citing a lack of grounds and little risk of any evidence destruction by Rep. Hyun Young-hee, who has been accused of providing 300 million won ($264,100) to a key member of the nomination screening committee ahead of the elections in exchange for inclusion on the party list of proportional representation candidates.

The decision came a day after the National Assembly voted by a large margin to approve Hyun’s detainment.

The prosecutors argued that they had reasonable doubts as Hyun had admitted to providing money, and that her deliveryman, Cho Ki-moon, also testified he received 50 million won from Hyun immediately upon his arrest.

Hyun, however, claims she only gave 5 million won to Cho to help with expenses during her campaign, and that he returned the money several days later.

The prosecutors also listed the evidence that they had gathered so far, including a picture of a bag used in the delivery, records of a borrowed phone allegedly used in the delivery and the contents of text messages.

The prosecutors said they would continue to investigate the case despite the court’s decision.

But it appeared unlikely that they would seek Hyun’s detainment again, as it would require another Assembly vote that may entail a political backlash.

Under the law, prosecutors require approval from an Assembly majority to arrest a lawmaker during a working session.

By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldcorp.com)