Iraq’s Ministry of Interior has explained the extradition of a Kuwaiti dissident to Kuwait, after the operation sparked controversy.
The ministry said in a statement that “some social media sites shared news and images of the Iraqi Interpol handing over a wanted individual to the Kuwaiti authorities.”
The statement also emphasized that “Iraq is a member of Interpol and is committed to following international agreements, cooperating closely with Arab and friendly countries in security matters.”
Iraq’s Ministry of Interior explained that the Iraqi Interpol received an arrest warrant from Kuwait, along with a “Red Notice” from the Arab Interior Ministers’ Council. Legal steps were immediately taken by both Iraqi and Kuwaiti authorities.
The ministry stressed that the handover between Iraqi and Kuwaiti Interpols was in line with Iraq’s commitments as an Interpol member. It also stated that Iraq routinely works to extradite suspects wanted by Iraqi courts and honors international agreements with other countries.
The statement highlighted that Iraqi Interpol handles numerous extraditions daily for cases like terrorism, drug trafficking, and corruption, showing Iraq’s dedication to global security cooperation.
Kuwaiti authorities, represented by Interior Minister Fahad Al-Youssef and Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani, received dissident Salman Al-Khalidi at the Safwan border crossing.
Al-Khalidi, who had entered Iraq on a British travel document, had spent weeks traveling across the country, including visits to religious sites in Karbala and Najaf, before being arrested on an Interpol warrant.
Social media videos showed Al-Khalidi criticizing the Kuwaiti government and ruling family before his arrest at Baghdad airport on Wednesday.
Al-Eidani confirmed that Al-Khalidi was arrested at Baghdad airport, taken to Basra, and handed over to Kuwaiti Interpol according to the agreements between the two countries.
Legal expert Ali Al-Tamimi explained that international agreements, like the 1951 Refugee Convention, distinguish between political and humanitarian asylum. Since Al-Khalidi was wanted by Kuwait for criminal charges, he does not qualify for political asylum, and Iraq is legally required to extradite him.
