Baghdad – IA
The investigation team to enhance accountability for crimes committed by ISIS gangs (UNITAD) praised the role of the Iraqi judiciary in providing incriminating evidence against two ISIS defendants who committed war crimes after a ruling was issued against them by the Portuguese judiciary.
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The head of the team, Christian Richter, said in a statement translated by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “I am pleased to be informed of the ruling decision issued by the competent court in Portugal in the case brought against two defendants who were convicted of belonging to ISIS terrorist gangs and who committed war crimes. The Portuguese prosecution has requested the UNITAD investigation team.” Providing support to them on this issue in particular in 2020 is what we did.”
He added, “The UNITAD investigation team, in cooperation with the Iraqi judiciary, represented by Judge Raed Musleh, who serves as President of the Nineveh Court of Appeal, made a significant contribution to this trial. The two parties identified the witnesses and victims who accused ISIS elements of committing crimes against them, and enabled interviews to be conducted with these victims and the inclusion of Their statements in this case.
He continued, “We are pleased to proceed with more cooperation with Iraqi judges specialized in this type of trial and this type of case. It is a living example of what can be achieved through close cooperation between the UNITAD team and the Iraqi judiciary and working side by side, which is something we seek to achieve by joint work on building cases. While contributing to the investigative work of the judges, in return, the Iraqi judiciary supports the UNITAD investigation team regarding the investigative work that we undertake in accordance with our mandate to hold members of ISIS accountable for their crimes and to promote accountability throughout the world.”
He pointed out that “such cooperation with the Iraqi judiciary enjoys great support from the Supreme Judicial Council headed by Dr. Faiq Zaidan, who realizes the importance of the cooperation of the UNITAD team and the Iraqi judiciary in developing strategies to support all forms of accountability.”
In turn, the statement quoted Judge Raed Al-Musleh, President of the Nineveh Federal Court of Appeal, as saying, “One of the most important files that was worked on with the UNITAD international investigation team is the investigation file with the accused (brothers) who fled to the state of Portugal. The judicial files were completed and prepared and all information was provided.” Evidence, preparing it for the International Investigation Team (UNITAD) and submitting it to the State of Portugal.”
He added, “The Central Court in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, asked us to listen to the testimonies of witnesses through 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.”
Judge Raed Al-Musleh said, “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 ISIS cases who fled to countries and entered these countries as refugees, while they were criminals who committed crimes against humanity, and we hope that efforts to prosecute them will continue.” “Many of the defendants are currently outside Iraq to receive their just punishment.”
