US envoy ‘praises’ Iraqi judiciary over handling of ISIS detainees

BAGHDAD — U.S. presidential envoy Tom Barrack “praised” Iraq’s judiciary for its handling of terrorism detainees recently transferred from Syria, according to the Iraqi News Agency.

Citing a judicial source, the agency reported that Barrack, during a meeting with Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan, commended “the Iraqi judiciary’s exceptional efforts in accommodating terrorist prisoners and the sound conduct of investigative procedures with them.”

Earlier, the Justice Ministry said 5,703 detainees transferred from Syria are being held in Iraqi prisons, representing over 60 nationalities. Ministry spokesperson Mohammed Laibi said the total includes 467 Iraqis, 3,543 Syrians, 4,253 Arabs overall and 983 foreigners.

The transfers followed security disruptions at detention facilities in northern Syria. Iraqi authorities say all detainees are being held pending investigation and trial under Iraqi law.

Iraq’s National Security Advisory said Sunday that Islamic State detainees transferred from Syria will not remain in Iraq permanently and that the government is working to return them to their home countries after legal procedures.