TEHRAN – Nasser Saraj, representative of Iran’s judicial international affairs, led a well-known delegation to Iraq this week. The visit culminated in the signing of four bilateral agreements on Saturday, bolstering its commitment to combat terrorism and addressing the judicial challenges facing Iranian pilgrims.
During a meeting with Iraqi Attorney General, including FAEQ Zaidan, including President of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, Attorney General Najm Abdullah Ahmad, Justice Minister Khaled Shwani and FAEQ Zaidan, including Laith Jabr Hamza, head of Iraq’s judicial oversight organization, Saraj highlighted the need to expand legal cooperation.
It has advanced important discussions focusing on accelerated efforts to prosecute terrorist groups such as the Mojahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO), ISIS, Komala and Pjak, as well as cases related to the 2020 US assassination of General Martyr’s General Kasem Soleimani and his companions.
“Iran and Iraq are brothers and are bound by deep thriving cooperation,” said Iraqi Attorney General Naim Abdullah Ahmad during talks, reaffirming Baghdad’s commitment to judicial cooperation.
During the visit, Saraj announced the signing of four important agreements covering prisoner relocation, criminal extradition, civil cooperation and mutual legal support.
These agreements were built on the results of the Fourth Joint Iran and Ira Anti-Terrorism Judiciary Committee meeting held in Baghdad on Thursday.
Emphasizing the progress of prisoner interaction, Saraj said: “We have recently promoted the relocation of 50 Iranian prisoners from Iraq and are anticipating a swift resolution of the remaining cases.”
Iraq’s Justice Minister Khaled Schwani has pledged continued cooperation, highlighting the “constructive and historic partnership” between the two countries.
Millions of Iranian pilgrims travel to Iraq each year. Especially during Albain, a religious observance 40 days after the anniversary of Imam Hossein’s martialism in Karbala. In light of this, Saraj urged Iraqi authorities to streamline the entry and exit procedures.
He cited cases in which a pilgrim faced detention for losing an Iraqi invasion stamp despite having a valid Iranian exit permit.
“In these cases, there is no element of criminal intent,” the Iranian judge stressed that pilgrims should not be punished for mistakenly violating technology, and that they should not be punished.
FAEQ Zaidan, president of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, pledged to address these concerns, saying, “We are ready to resolve the judicial hurdles facing Iranian pilgrims to ensure their dignified visits.”
Both sides agreed to strengthen border coordination and ensure that pilgrims receive appropriate intrusion stamps and avoid legal complications.
At a meeting on Thursday, the Iran and Irah Anti-Terrorism Judiciary Committee confirmed 10 important resolutions. These include shared intelligence and legal action, condemnation of Israeli war crimes in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon, and joint efforts to track MKO and ISIS affiliates through US attacks in Yemen.
The committee also agreed to activate the 2011 prisoner pardon agreement, speeding up relocation and conducting an annual review of the Bilateral Commercial Dispute Court to increase efficiency.
While Saraj emphasized the role of the committee in “protecting regional security,” Iraq’s representative, Reis Jab Hamza, welcomed the “fruitful dialogue” and strengthened its mutual objectives.
The talks ended when the two countries vowed to protect judicial interrelations, fight financial corruption and curb drug trafficking.