Iran's foreign ministry strongly condemned the execution of a number of Iranian nationals in Saudi Arabia despite the Judicial Accord between the two neighboring states, and called for immediate explanation from Riyadh in this regard.

Iran on Tuesday complained to Saudi government for ignoring Judicial Accord it signed with the Islamic Republic of Iran according to which the Saudi government has undertaken to extradite Iranian citizens imprisoned in the kingdom.

Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Expatriates' Affairs Hassan Qashqavi said that the Saudi foreign ministry spokesman has been unaware of the Saudi Judicial Accord with Iran according to which the Saudi government was responsible to extradite Iranian citizens convicted by Saudi Courts of Justice.

He told reporters, the spokesman had better refer to the existing records of Saudi Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice to see the Judicial Accord the Saudi government signed with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Qashqavi said the spokesman must refer to the two other Accords of Judicial assistance according to which Iranian citizens found guilty in the kingdom must be extradited to Iran.

He said that the Judicial Accord was signed by former Saudi Minister of Justice Sheikh Abdullah Bin Muhammad as-Saud during his visit to Tehran.

He said Iran has already forwarded two copies of the Judicial Accord to Saudi government through official channels to complain to the Saudi government against execution of Iranian citizens in the kingdom.

"Iran has not received a reply from the Saudi government for the complaint so far.""

The deputy foreign minister said that Saudi Ambassador to Tehran has been summoned to Foreign Ministry to protest the delay in responding to Iranian complaint.

The Iranian official condemned the executions and the situation of Iranian citizens in Saudi prisons and called for the immediate explanation of Riyadh in this regard.
isna/281

News ID 182346