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Department Chief of Azerbaijanâ€™s Justice Ministry: â€œMore than 400 Iranian prisoners were extradited to their country in prior yearsâ€

30 July 2012 09:35 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Shahriyar Alizadeh â€“ APA. â€œThe agreement signed between Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran on extradition of prisoners is in force todayâ€, Chief of Justice Ministryâ€™s department on international relations Zaver Gafarov told APA.

Gafarov said the most Iranian prisoners who are serving sentence in Azerbaijani correctional facilities are convicted due to drug trafficking and sale : â€œThere are about 160 Iranian prisoners in Azerbaijanâ€™s correctional facilities. As regards the number of Azerbaijani prisoners in Iran, in 2012 the Iranian side informed us about presence of 6 Azerbaijani prisoners there. But by our assumption, there are about 20 Azerbaijanis imprisoned in Iran. The process of extradition of prisoners to their countries hasnâ€™t occurred Iran and Azerbaijan this year. But this process was implemented in prior years. More than 400 Iranian prisoners were extradited to their country in prior years. The Iranian side extradited 51 Azerbaijani prisoners. The work is carried out for implementing the process of extradition of prisoners in the near future. The statements on suspension of this process made by the Iranian officials to the press are groundless. That agreement is in force nowâ€.

Prosecutor of Ardabil provinceâ€™s Law and Revolutionary Court Yusif Khudadadi told â€œSaharâ€ channel that there are 4 Azerbaijani citizens in Ardabil jail: â€œThey were detained because of drug trafficking and spying. Iran treats these prisoners in accordance with the tasks of Islamic religion and ethics, the countryâ€™s laws. We treat them with respect. We permitted them to meet with their families. This law was observed for everyone who appealedâ€. Khudadadi said there were obligations between Azerbaijan and Iran on extradition of prisoners and accused Azerbaijan of non-fulfillment of these obligations: â€œThese obligations must not remain on paper. There are 130 Iranian prisoners in Azerbaijan. Iran announced its readiness for their extradition. But Azerbaijan does not cooperate with us in this sphereâ€.