breakthrough is expected in the dossier of Saudi prisoners in Iraq. The official in charge of bilateral relations at the Iraqi embassy in Riyadh said he expects a breakthrough especially regarding Saudis facing the death penalty in Iraq. Dr. Moa'ed Al-Obaidi said: “The Iraqi council of ministers has issued a decision to form a committee to find the exact number of Saudi prisoners in Iraqi prisons.” This committee includes representatives from the ministries of interior, justice and foreign affairs in Iraq. Dr. Al-Obaidi said: “The Iraqi government abides by the agreement signed by the two countries not to rush the death sentences on Saudis sentenced to death in Iraq and to adhere to the two-month grace period agreed on by both sides.” There are about 100 Saudi prisoners currently imprisoned in Iraqi jails in Baghdad, Al-Nassyria, Al-Mosel and Al-Sulamanyia prisons. Most of these prisoners are charged with illegally crossing the border. Ibrahim Saeed Al-Ghamdi said: “My brother Majed who was detained in Iraq several months ago told me by telephone that most of the verdicts passed on Saudis were for entering Iraq illegally but these verdicts were very severe with some of them sentenced to death for this crime.” Ibrahim explained that the Sunni judges pass lenient verdicts ranging from three to four years, while the Shiite judges are much more severe and often pass death verdicts. “My brother Majed was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2004 for crossing the Iraqi border illegally. Now I only receive a phone call from him every three months,” he said. __
