UNITAD praises the Iraqi judiciary role in providing evidence to Portugal

politics

4-03-2024, 19:10

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INA - BAGHDAD

the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh - UNITAD praised on Monday, the role of the Iraqi judiciary in providing incriminating evidence against two of Daesh defendants who committed war crimes after a ruling was issued against them by the Portuguese judiciary.

"The ruling is Portugal’s first conviction of a perpetrator on charges of war crimes. It marks a milestone along the path made possible thanks to the unique partnership between UNITAD and Iraq. The Iraqi Judiciary and the Team have been extending crucial support to accountability processes in third states with competent jurisdictions to prosecute international crimes committed by Daesh in Iraq," said Special Adviser and Head of UNITAD, Christian Ritscher, in a is breifing to the United Nations Security Council, translated by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

He noted, "In 2020, UNITAD received the request for assistance from the General Public Prosecutor’s Office in Portugal and, in response, led an investigation in close cooperation with Judge Raed al-Mosleh, now President of the Nineveh Federal Appeals Court."

"We are extremely proud of our joint pursuit on this case with Honorable Judge Raed Al Mosleh, which led to this landmark conviction. It exemplifies the meaningful work of UNITAD together with the Iraqi judiciary as a partner that supports evidence-based justice processes in Iraq and throughout the world," stressed Special Adviser Ritscher.

He pointed out, "This work has been possible thanks to the solid support and continued cooperation between UNITAD and the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council, headed by Chief Justice Dr. Faiq Zaidan, President of the Supreme Judicial Council. The Team has been working together with competent Iraqi judges to ensure the proper preservation of evidence."

In turn, the statement quoted Judge Raed Al-Musleh saying, “One of the most important files that was worked on with the UNITAD is the investigation file with the accused brothers who fled to the state of Portugal. The judicial files were completed and prepared as all evidence, information were provided, preparing it for UNITAD and submitting it to the State of Portugal.”

"The Central Court in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, asked us to listen to the testimonies of witnesses by our acting court. Indeed, for the first time in the history of the Iraqi judiciary, the Nineveh Investigation Court secured the presence of witnesses, conveyed the testimonies, and met with the witnesses via the (video conferencing - video meeting) program," he noted.

Judge Raed Al-Musleh highlighted, “In fact, this is considered an achievement that was presented by the international investigation team through the Iraqi judiciary to try and prosecute those accused in Daesh cases who fled to countries and entered these countries as refugees, while they were criminals who committed crimes against humanity."

"We hope that efforts to prosecute those currently outside Iraq will continue to receive their just punishment," he included in his statement.