Judiciary Council Defines Handling of Foreign Convicts Transferred from Syria

The Supreme Judicial Council announced today, Wednesday, its decision to segment the handling of files for foreign convicts transferred from Syria to Iraq. This decision was made during a meeting hosted by the Council, chaired by Judge Faiq Zaidan. The high-level meeting included Minister of Justice Khalid Shawani, Chief of Staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Lieutenant General Abdul Amir al-Shammari, along with the head of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service Hamid al-Shatri, head of the National Security Service Basim al-Badri, National Security Advisor Qasim al-Aboudi, and head of the Counter-Terrorism Service Lieutenant General Zaid Hawshi. Also in attendance were Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral and Legal Affairs Ambassador Shurash Khalid, Chief Public Prosecutor Adel Khudhair, head of the Judicial Oversight Authority Judge Laith Jabr, first investigating judge of Karkh First Investigation Court Judge Ali Hussein Jaffat, and the head of the National Center for International Judicial Cooperation. The meeting addressed the formulation of Iraq's unified vision regarding the files of foreign detainees and convicts who were transferred from Syria. This follows the completion of the investigation and interrogation phase by the Karkh First Investigation Court, moving towards the trial phase. Attendees concluded with a unified stance representing the Iraqi state concerning the handling of these convicts or detainees. This position dictates that their files be dealt with in segments, based on bilateral agreements between Iraq and their respective countries, while adhering to Iraqi laws and the principle of reciprocity. It was also agreed to task the National Center for International Judicial Cooperation with examining any initiatives or offers presented by those countries or international organizations regarding the provision of assistance and aid to Iraq concerning this matter.