Iraq prepares transfer of 6,000 foreign prisoners, Syrians top list
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Iraq’s Justice Ministry on Sunday announced the activation of intensive diplomatic procedures to transfer about 6,000 Arab and foreign prisoners serving sentences in Iraqi prisons to their home countries to complete their sentences there.
Syrian nationals make up the largest group of foreign prisoners, followed by nationals of Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Russia, the United States and Canada, among others.
The ministry obtained an official decision from the National Security Council to begin the transfer procedures and diplomatic efforts.
The Justice Ministry’s decision covers 6,000 prisoners from 61 Arab and foreign nationalities.
Iraqi Justice Ministry spokesman Ahmad Laibi said Karkh Central Prison had been designated to temporarily accommodate and consolidate the Arab and foreign prisoners until the technical arrangements for their transfer are completed.
On Saturday, Justice Minister Khalid Shwani discussed the issue of foreign prisoners transferred from Syria and legal and judicial cooperation between the two countries with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Baghdad Joshua Harris.