211 Iranian nationals held in Iraqi prisons

TEHRAN, Jan. 2 (MNA) – According to the latest statistics, some 211 Iranians who had been visiting Iraq as pilgrims are kept in Iraqi prisons, the Mehr News Agency has learnt.


The order for releasing the prisoners have been signed by the Iraqi president and prime minister but the Iraqi Vice President, Tariq al-Hashemi, has so far refused to sign the letter, according to Iranian officials.


The pilgrims had been visiting Iraq illegally.


Among those who have been arrested none has been accused of trying to disturb security in Iraq. However, most of the Iraqis who have been detained in Iran are accused of smuggling arms and drugs into Iran and committing other severe crimes.


Many Iranians visit the holy shrines of Imam Hussein (AS) and Imam Ali (AS) in Karbala and Najaf in Iraq every day. These religious tours are mostly done with coordination of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization.


However, those who are arrested embark on visiting the holy places inside Iraq outside tour agencies and that is why they are being caught by police.


The Iranian Foreign Ministry and the pilgrimage organization have been repeatedly calling on nationals to avoid visiting Iraq outside tour agencies.