Al-Halawi confirms that terrorists are not included in the general amnesty law and makes their release subject to the authority of the judiciary.
23 January 2025
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Head of the Sadiqoon parliamentary, Dr. Habib al-Halawi, confirmed on Wednesday that talk about releasing terrorists under the general amnesty law reflects a misunderstanding of the law, stressing that Parliament does not have the authority to release terrorists, and that the entire matter depends on the judiciary.
Al-Halawi said in a televised interview that whoever talks about releasing terrorists with a general amnesty has not read the law, stressing by saying: “Abbas does not let any terrorist emerge between us,” referring to the infallibility of the judiciary in ruling on terrorism cases.
Al-Halawi added that the Iraqi parliament respects its legislative role and will not allow the release of terrorists or corrupt individuals, expressing surprise at the objection of some representatives to yesterday’s session that discussed the general amnesty law. While he explained that the law is “purely Iraqi” and cannot be classified on a sectarian or factional basis, he pointed out that more than 15,000 “special amnesties” have been issued since the time of former President Barham Salih until now.
Al-Halawi considered that recovering the stolen money from embezzlers and corrupt people is the best option for the country instead of keeping them in prisons, indicating that “the embezzler and corrupt person will not leave prison unless he pays the money he owes,” stressing that recovering the stolen money is the priority.
Regarding the case of Nour Zuhair, Al-Halawi stated that the latter is currently in Dubai, calling on Interpol to take action to return him to Iraq to face justice.
He also stressed that the Shiite component does not defend terrorists or corrupt people in any way, saying: “The Shiites do not have thieves, and we do not defend them as some claim,” noting that the Shiite representatives, like the rest of the components of the Iraqi people, support the laws that serve citizens without exception, and that those Shiites included in the general amnesty law will return to their families, with the exception of drug addicts.
At the end of his speech, Al-Halawi criticized the withdrawal of MP Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani from the hall, describing his media statement after the session as hasty and ill-considered.