Fourth meeting of the joint Judicial Committee on Combating Terrorism held in Baghdad

The fourth meeting of the Joint Judicial Committee on Combating Terrorism took place on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Baghdad, with judicial delegations from Iran and Iraq.

The meeting was co-chaired by Nasser Seraj, Deputy for International Affairs of Iran’s Judiciary and Secretary of Iran’s High Council for Human Rights, and Judge Laith Jabr Hamza, Head of Iraq’s Judicial Oversight Authority and member of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council.

During this round of negotiations, the parties discussed the latest international developments in the fight against terrorism and their impact on regional peace and security, ongoing terrorism-related cases, and terrorist organizations such as the Mujahedin-e-Khalq (Monafeghin Terrorist Group), ISIS, and Takfiri groups including Komalah, Democrat, PJAK, Khabat, and PAK.

They reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the fight against terrorism in all its forms, enhancing the security of both countries, and implementing judicial agreements between the two nations.

The condemnation of the Israeli regime’s attack on southern Lebanon, which resulted in the martyrdom of Hezbollah leaders, including Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as well as the martyrdom of Martyr Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, was another key topic of the meeting.

Following the discussions, a joint memorandum was signed by the heads of both delegations, with the parties agreeing on the following points:

1 - Regarding terrorist groups, particularly affiliates and supporters of the Monafeghin terrorist group, it was agreed to take necessary measures to uncover terrorist crimes, pursue perpetrators, implement all legal actions, issue judicial rulings, and enforce punishments against those responsible. 

2 - Emphasis on exchanging information regarding the terrorist attack near Baghdad International Airport, which led to the martyrdom of Commanders Martyr Haj Qassem Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and their companions, and following up on the latest developments in this case. 

3 - Both parties condemned the massacre of Alawites in Syria, war crimes, and genocide against the innocent people of Palestine, the destruction in southern Lebanon by the Israeli regime, and U.S. aggression and attacks on Yemen. 

4 - Emphasis on implementing Article 5 of the Legal and Judicial Cooperation Program between Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council and Iran’s Judiciary regarding the exchange of judicial delegations, legal information, and judicial experiences between the two sides. 

5 - Emphasis on addressing issues faced by Iranian pilgrims during the Arbaeen ceremonies and other religious pilgrimages, particularly actions that are not considered crimes under Iranian law but are listed as offenses under Iraqi law. 

6 - The need to activate mechanisms to ensure the inclusion of the provisions of the General Amnesty Law based on 2011 agreement on the transfer of convicts between the two countries for Iranian convicts in Iraq. 

7 - Emphasis on mutual cooperation to exchange information related to combating financial and administrative corruption crimes, handing over wanted individuals, recovering funds, and addressing related matters. 

8 - Efforts to intensify joint actions and strengthen cooperation mechanisms in combating narcotics and psychotropic substances and curbing their spread between the two countries. 

9 - Emphasis on the need for special attention to extradition requests for perpetrators of terrorist crimes, whether accused or convicted, to prevent their escape from justice. 

10 - Both parties will provide annual statistics on the performance of primary courts handling commercial disputes filed by citizens of both countries and will outline the most significant challenges and difficulties faced by these courts.