Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki calls on Baghdad to extradite the criminal members of the Mojahedin-e Khalgh Organization (MKO).
In a Monday meeting with the Iraqi ambassador to Iran, Majid Sheikh, Mottaki said that considering the friendly relations between Tehran and Baghdad, the MKO presence in Iraq was not appropriate.
"We view Iraqi honor, security and development as a cause for joy in Iran, and believe that those who are trying to fuel insecurity in Iraq are committing a great sin," said the foreign minister.
He then called on the Iraqi government to extradite MKO criminals "who are wanted by Interpol" back to Iran so that they can face trial for the crimes they have committed against the Iranian people over the past three decades.
"The continuing presence of Camp Ashraf in Iraq did not suit the growing and friendly ties between the two countries," Mottaki explained.
"Tehran would like those MKO members who are responsible for series crimes and who are wanted by the Interpol to be sent back to Iran," he added.
Late in July, Iraqi security forces stormed Camp Ashraf in Iraq’s Diyala province near the Iranian border and shut it down. Camp Ashraf had been housing some 3,500 members of the terrorist group for years.
Iraq is reportedly preparing to try 36 MKO members who were responsible for the recent unrest in Camp Ashraf, in the near future.
Tehran hailed the move as a step forward in relations between the two neighboring countries.