
Iraqi courts implement Amnesty Law following Judicial Council directives
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Iraqi courts confirmed their commitment to implementing the General Amnesty Law in accordance with the directives of the Supreme Judicial Council.
The law aims to grant amnesty for certain offenses, explicitly excluding individuals involved in terrorism, violent acts, and drug offenses from receiving any form of amnesty.
According to official documents, the Najaf Criminal Court confirmed the application of General Amnesty Law No. 27 of 2016 (second amendment), which came into effect on January 21, 2025, for the cases presented before it, in line with the instructions issued by the Supreme Judicial Council, emphasizing the 'enforcement of these directives at the criminal court level.'
Similarly, the Presidency of the Diwaniya Appeals Court directed the implementation of the second amendment to the law based on the provisions issued by the council.
Recently, the Federal Court decided to suspend the implementation of controversial laws, including the Amnesty Law, raising tensions within political circles.
However, Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council ruled on Wednesday that laws passed by parliament cannot be suspended before their official publication in the government gazette, arguing that the court's ruling lacked legal grounds, as it targeted non-enforceable laws. It also affirmed that the Iraqi courts are obligated to implement the amended General Amnesty Law.
Despite the council's remarks, the Federal Court reaffirmed that its rulings, including injunctions, are 'final and binding on all authorities,' citing Article 94 of the 2005 Iraqi Constitution.
The Judiciary Instructions
The judiciary, according to a statement and documents, decided on Monday that the Presidency of the Appeals Court should form one or more central committees in each appellate region, composed of three first- or second-degree judges, which will be responsible for reviewing requests for reinvestigation and retrial under the provisions of Article 9, Section 1, of the Second Amendment to the Amnesty Law.
These committees will reportedly handle cases from internal security or military courts within their territorial jurisdiction.
1.Cases still under investigation or trial will be decided by the aforementioned courts, which will determine whether the defendant qualifies for the general amnesty.
2.Cases with non-final judgments or absentia rulings will be reviewed by the courts that issued them.
3.Cases with final judgments will be reviewed by the central committee formed for this purpose within the Presidency of the Appeals Court, and amnesty decisions will only be implemented once they become final.
4.Rulings from criminal courts with requests for reinvestigation or retrial will be reviewed by the central committee at the Presidency of the Appeals Court, regardless of whether the rulings are final or still under appeal. Decisions will not be implemented until they become final.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Iraqi News
2 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq frees Egyptian and Australian engineers over central bank contract issue
Baghdad – Iraq has released an Australian mechanical engineer and his Egyptian colleague who were detained for more than four years over a dispute with the central bank, authorities said Friday, though the two remain barred from leaving the country. Robert Pether and Khalid Radwan were working for an engineering company contracted to oversee the construction of the bank's new Baghdad headquarters, according to a United Nations report, when they were arrested in April 2021. A report from a working group for the UN Human Rights Council said the arrests stemmed from a contractual dispute over 'alleged failure to execute certain payments'. Both men were sentenced to five years in prison and fined $12 million, the working group said. A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that Pether, in his fifties, was released 'due to his poor health'. Australian media have previously reported that the family suspected Pether had developed lung cancer in prison and that he had undergone surgery for skin cancer. A second Iraqi official confirmed the release of Radwan, adding that he was not allowed to leave the country until a 'final decision' was made regarding his case. Australia's ABC broadcaster quoted the country's foreign minister, Penny Wong, as welcoming the release and saying the Australian government had raised the issue with Iraqi authorities more than 200 times. Simon Harris, foreign minister for Ireland, where Pether's family lives, posted on X: 'This evening, I have been informed of the release on bail of Robert Pether, whose imprisonment in Iraq has been a case of great concern. 'This is very welcome news in what has been a long and distressing saga for Robert's wife, three children and his wider family and friends.' Speaking to Irish national broadcaster RTE, Pether's wife, Desree Pether, said her husband was 'not well at all' and 'really needs to just come home so he can get the proper medical care he needs'. 'He's completely unrecognisable. It's a shock to the system to see how far he has declined,' she said.


Shafaq News
10 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Baghdad, Amman push cooperation on economy and environment
Shafaq News/ Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid met, on Sunday, with Jordan's King Abdullah II in Nice, France, to advance bilateral ties and coordinate responses to regional crises, including the war in Gaza. The meeting, held during the UN's Third Ocean Conference, included Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Fuad Hussein and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi and centered on boosting trade, aligning economic policies, and expanding environmental cooperation—especially in water conservation and biodiversity. Rashid urged joint efforts on climate goals and sustainable development. رئيس الجمهورية @LJRashid يلتقي جلالة الملك عبدالله الثاني ابن الحسين، على هامش مؤتمر الأمم المتحدة الثالث للمحيطات في مدينة نيس الفرنسية, ويبحثان تعزيز العلاقات بين البلدين الشقيقين وسبل تطويرها في المجالات كافة، وتوسيع التعاون والتبادل التجاري بما يخدم المصالح المشتركة للشعبين. — رئاسة جمهورية العراق (@IraqiPresidency) June 8, 2025 The leaders also discussed regional stability and reaffirmed support for Palestinian statehood, calling for urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza. King Abdullah backed stronger Iraq-Jordan cooperation, urging implementation of resolutions from the recent Arab League summit in Baghdad.


Shafaq News
14 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's President in France for UN ocean summit
Shafaq News/ Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid arrived in France on Sunday to attend the United Nations Ocean Conference, where he is expected to meet French President Emmanuel Macron for high-level discussions. The conference brings together world leaders to address marine pollution, climate resilience, and the sustainable management of ocean resources. An Iraqi official familiar with the visit indicated that discussions with the French side are expected to focus on infrastructure initiatives, expanding environmental cooperation, and following up on previously signed agreements. Earlier today, President Rashid emphasized Iraq's interest in strengthening its partnership with France, reiterating a commitment to cooperation across political, environmental, and economic spheres. He also reaffirmed Baghdad's policy of neutrality in global affairs, pointing to strategic partnerships as a means to advance the country's economic reform agenda. The visit follows earlier discussions between Macron and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who met in March to review the $17B Development Road project. The initiative aims to link Asia and Europe through Iraq, with the potential to generate up to one million jobs. Since 2023, Iraq and France have formalized a series of agreements spanning energy, defense, and transportation. Baghdad is currently preparing to host an Iraq–France business forum, an event designed to enhance private-sector ties and attract new investment.