HCHR_ During the visit of the Vice President of the Judiciary for International Affairs to Iraq and the subsequent meeting and discussions with high-ranking Iraqi judicial authorities, significant agreements were reached between the Iranian and Iraqi judiciary. These agreements focused on addressing terrorist groups and the extradition of criminals.
According to the report from the Communication and Information Management office of the Vice President of the Judiciary for International Affairs and the High Council for Human Rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the inaugural meeting of the Joint Judicial Committee to combat terrorism was held in Baghdad and chaired by Kazem Gharibabadi, the Vice President of the Judiciary for International Affairs, and Judge Leith Jabr Hamzeh, the Head of the Judicial Oversight Organization and a member of the Supreme Council of Iraqi Judiciary.
MOUs between Iran and Iraq's Judiciary in Dealing with Terrorist Groups
According to the minutes of the joint meeting signed by both parties, the parties condemned the crimes of terrorist groups, including the Munafiqeen terrorist group, ISIS, Takfiri groups, Komala, KDP, Pjak, Sazman-e Khabat, and Pak. They emphasized the firm determination of the judicial systems of both countries to combat terrorism in all its dimensions and forms. They also acknowledged the threats posed by terrorist groups to the security of both nations and the damage caused by their activities against the people. During the meeting, they reached an understanding on the following points:
- Discovering the crimes committed by terrorist groups and their members, prosecuting the accused, conducting thorough investigations, initiating judicial proceedings, and issuing appropriate sentences for the crimes committed, and executing their punishments;
- Taking the necessary measures to designate the mentioned terrorist groups as such through their respective legal authorities;
- Speeding up and streamlining the process of implementing judicial assistance and extradition for perpetrators involved in any type of terrorist act, whether accused or convicted;
- Collaborating and providing mutual support in initiating lawsuits and filing complaints in foreign and international courts against the aforementioned terrorist groups;
- Providing a comprehensive report on the latest judicial actions regarding the terrorist and criminal case that resulted in the martyrdom of Qassem Soleimani, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, and their companions;
- Establishing specialized branches to handle terrorist crimes within prosecutors' offices, courts, and appellate bodies; and
- Holding the second round of the joint judicial committee meeting in December 2024 in Tehran.
Delivery of 38 Judicial Requests for the Extradition of Members of Terrorist Groups to the Head of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq
During this trip, Gharibabadi also met and held discussions with Dr. Faiq Zidan, the President of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq. Referring to the judicial cooperation agreements, including the extradition of criminals, between the two countries and the agreements reached during the security meeting held between the two countries in March 2022, he submitted 38 judicial requests for the extradition of individuals who are key members and leaders of terrorist groups such as Komala, KDP, Pjak, Sazman-e Khabat, and Pak to Dr. Faiq Zidan. Dr. Gharibabadi emphasized their prompt extradition to Iran for trial and justice.
During this meeting, the Vice President of the Judiciary for International Affairs also mentioned that additional extradition requests will be submitted to the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq.
In this meeting, Dr. Faiq Zidan also emphasized Iraq's determination and the dedication of its judicial system to address terrorist groups, highlighting the importance of cooperation and interaction with the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this regard.
During these discussions, taking into account the ongoing case against the terrorist group of the hypocrites within Iran's judiciary and considering the crimes committed by this group in Iraq, it was agreed that both sides would initiate investigations, share relevant documents, and file legal cases while maintaining close cooperation.
Gharibabadi's Meeting with the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice of Iraq to Expedite the Process of Transferring Iranian Convicts
The Vice-President of the Judiciary for International Affairs also met and held separate discussions with the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice of Iraq.
The Minister of Justice of Iraq informed that soon 15 Iranian convicts would be transferred to Iran. The parties reached an agreement to accelerate the process of transferring Iranian convicts and increase their numbers.
Paying Tribute to Martyr Soleimani, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis and Their Companions
It is worth noting that the Secretary-General of the High Council for Human Rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the accompanying delegation, upon their arrival in Iraq, paid their respects to the esteemed Qassem Soleimani, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, and their companions at the site of their martyrdom, honoring their legacy.