TEHRAN – Iran’s top human rights official says the Islamic Republic is committed to bringing the members of terrorist groups to justice.

Kazem Gharibabadi, secretary of Iran's High Council for Human Rights, made the remark on Tuesday during the fourth trial session of the members of the anti-Iran terrorist group MKO. 

He continued, "Iran is a major victim of terrorism, with 23,000 innocent lives lost to terrorist activities, 17,000 of which are attributed to the MKO."

He also informed reporters that Iran has formally requested Iraqi authorities to extradite 38 key members linked to separatist and terrorist groups situated in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in Iraq.

Highlighting Iran's commitment to security, Gharibabadi urged both the central Iraqi government and Kurdistan authorities to fulfill their commitments, especially in securing the border. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has responded to threats posed by these groups through multiple airstrikes targeting their positions in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Notably, on November 21, 2022, these groups faced coordinated attacks deploying missiles and kamikaze drones. The strikes targeted the positions of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) and the Komala Party in northern Iraqi Kurdistan. Simultaneously, kamikaze drones struck Komala-associated positions near the city of Sulaymaniyah. 

Gharibabadi expanded on Iran's legal actions, revealing a broader approach beyond MKO. Measures have been taken against Pakistan-based Ansar-ul-Furqan and Jaish-ul-Adl terrorist groups. The latter is implicated in a terrorist attack on Rask County’s police headquarters in Sistan and Baluchestan in December, resulting in the tragic loss of 11 police personnel.

Gharibabadi emphasized that Iran has the necessary means to implement court rulings against these terrorists. He stated that countries providing shelter to these individuals will face pressure to withdraw support or expel them once verdicts are issued. 

Highlighting the need to defend victims, enforce justice, and confront the impunity of MKO's terrorist acts, Gharibabadi added, "These principles are integral to the fight against terrorism and the promotion of human rights."

MAS