Baghdad - Jaafar Al Nasrawy
According to the Iraqi Ministry of Justice, the number of Arab and foreign prisoners in Iraqi prisons has reached 467, mostly arrested according to the Article 4 of the Iraqi Anti-Terrorism law. Statistics show that Arab prisoners in Iraqi prisons include 100 Syrians, 90 Saudi Arabians, 15 Algerians, 23 Libyans, 19 Sudanese, 24 Yemenis, 40 Palestinians, 65 Egyptians and one Lebanese, as well as 38 Iranians and five Afghans according to the Ministry source. Aome of the prisoners (mostly Iranians) are arrested for selling drugs and their countries refused to receive them for different reasons. In June 14, 2012 the Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced it will be soon signing an accord with Tunisia, Libya and Egypt to exchange prisoners under the supervision of the Arab League, excluding prisoners with death penalty. While in April 21, 2012 the National Transitional Council of Libya announced an agreement with the Iraqi government where Libya prisoners could spend the remaining period of their penalty in their own country. The Iraqi government promised to hold the death penalty for prisoners in Baghdad, and said it is currently unlike to deliver them.