Iran-Iraq Mull Extradition Of Prisoners, Justice Minister

Tehran, Jan 14, IRNA -- Iran and Iraq have prepared action plan for extradition of prisoners, Justice Minister Morteza Bakhtiari said on Sunday. He said that presidents of Iran and Iraq have already signed an agreement on extradition of prisoners, adding that preparing an action plan is at final stage. "Justice officials of Iran and Iraq have worked out the action plan. It will be implemented soon after being communicated." Bakhriari said that Iranian parliament (Majlis) has ratified the agreement on extradition of prisoners with Iraq on May 9, 2012. “Majlis Speaker forwarded the 20-point agreement with Iraq to president on December 26, 2012 to sign into law and the government communicated it to the Justice Ministry for implementation.” Bakhtiari added that the number of Iranian prisoners in Iraq has not been announced yet, but, it seems that those detained for illegal entry into Iraq comprise most of Iranian prisoners. He expressed hope that the agreement would help the Iranian and Iraqi prisoners to serve their prison terms in their own countries./end