Baghdad: The National Center for International Judicial Cooperation at the Supreme Judicial Council has announced that the investigation into crimes committed by ISIS members arriving from Syria will last between four to six months. These individuals, originating from 42 different countries, will be investigated exclusively under Iraqi law. The center emphasized that extradition to their home countries will not be considered until the investigation is completed.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Assistant Head of the National Center for International Judicial Cooperation at the Supreme Judicial Council, Ali Dhia, stated that a meeting led by the Council’s President, Judge Faiq Zaidan, assigned the First Karkh Investigation Court to handle the investigation of those transferred from Syria to Iraq. This court, known for its specialization in terrorism cases, is now supported with additional judges, public prosecutors, and administrative staff to manage the immense caseload, which is expected to include between 7,000 and 8,000 people.

Dhia explained that the competent court began its interrogation and investigation procedures on January 28, 2026. Although the investigations are starting from scratch, they benefit from a comprehensive database detailing crimes committed by ISIS between 2014 and 2017. The National Center for International Judicial Cooperation has formed an operations room in coordination with security services to facilitate the process.

It was revealed that among those being investigated are highly dangerous individuals, including ISIS leaders and those responsible for genocide and crimes against humanity. Some of the crimes being scrutinized involve atrocities against the Yazidi community and the use of chemical weapons during ISIS’s control in Iraq.

The investigation involves individuals from approximately 42 foreign countries, and all trials are conducted under Iraqi law. Dhia noted that these ISIS members had not faced trials in Syria and had only been detained without interrogation by the coalition or courts.

The Iraqi judiciary aims to complete this significant investigation efficiently, viewing it as a qualitative leap and a precedent in its judicial proceedings. The anticipated duration for completing the investigation and interrogation of the accused is set between four and six months.