Show leniency to Afghan prisoners, Iran urged

KABUL (Pajhwok): A Supreme Court (SC) delegation has called on Iran to show leniency towards Afghan prisoners, asking the neighbouring country to provide a list of death-row inmates.

During a visit to Tehran, the judicial team, led by apex court deputy head SC, Sheikh Abdul Malik Haqqani, met Kazem Gharib Abadi, the deputy chief for international affairs of Iran’s judiciary, on Saturday.

In a statement, , the top court said the meeting focused on enhancing judicial cooperation between the two countries and ensuring the rights of Afghan prisoners in Iran.

They also discussed promoting mutual goodwill, exploring alternatives to executions for death-row Afghans and addressing the rights of refugees living in Iran.

Haqqani urged host officials to share with Kabul a list of Afghan prisoners in Iran, particularly those sentenced to death.

He stressed execution was considered a Ta’zir punishment in Islam, which grants judges certain discretion in such cases.

Therefore, he appealed to Iranian authorities to show leniency towards Afghan prisoners sentenced to death, in the spirit of Islamic brotherhood, and to consider alternative forms of punishment.

Regarding Afghan refugees in Iran, Sheikh Abdul Malik Haqqani called on Iranian authorities to ensure the rights of Afghan refugees, particularly in areas of education and employment, in accordance with Islamic law.

He also stressed that no Afghan should be held without trial and that torture should be avoided.

Kazem Abadi expressed gratitude to the delegation for its visit, aimed at strengthening judicial cooperation between the two nations.

He assured the team that Iran planned to transfer 1,500 Afghan prisoners back to their home country in the near future.

He also confirmed that Iran was trying to treat Afghans with kindness and respect in all areas.

sa/mud