Terror crimes' convicts to be retried under General Amnesty bill

General Amnesty bill will include re-investigation and retrial of those convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for committing terror crimes, MP Zana Saeed, a member of the parliamentary legal committee, revealed on Friday.

In a press statement, Saeed said that this decision was taken after the legal committee's consultations with organizations and judges.

The re-investigation, retrial of those convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for committing terror crimes is one of National Iraqi Alliance's demands, he noted.

The General Amnesty bill will include this item because there are people convicted of terror-related crimes, have made confessions under duress, Saeed stated.

He added that there is a parliamentary consensus on expanding the range of amnesty to include simple crimes whether administrative, financial or civil.

The final draft of the law, currently being discussed, has maintained exceptions related to serious crimes such as terrorism, national security, squandering public funds, drug trafficking, adultery, embezzlement, fraud and antiquities smuggling, Saeed said.

He stated that the bill will be discussed during its second reading, paving the way for parliamentary blocs voting.

The Iraqi parliament approved a General Amnesty Law in August 2016.

Legal experts believe that there are some serious problems with the law; issues that could see hardened criminals and corrupt officials pardoned easily.

Many Iraqi MPs have voiced concern about this law. They have alleged that it favors criminals, neglects the rights of victims, demanding it must be amended.

In May 2017, Iraq's Parliament was scheduled to vote on the amendment of the General Amnesty Law, but voting was postponed.


https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/sto...l-Amnesty-bill