Moscow: The Iraqi Embassy in Moscow announced on Wednesday that Russia is prepared to repatriate its citizens accused of terrorism and currently detained in Iraqi prisons.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the embassy stated that Iraqi Ambassador to Moscow, Abdul Karim Hashim Mustafa, met with Russian Deputy Interior Minister Igor Nikolayevich Zubov at the Russian Interior Ministry headquarters. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations, particularly cooperation between the two countries’ interior ministries.

The statement revealed that the ambassador conveyed the Iraqi government’s call to its Russian counterpart to repatriate its citizens who are members of the ISIS terrorist organization and are currently detained in Iraqi prisons. The Iraqi government is committed to returning them to their countries of origin to ensure the sustainability of regional and international security and stability. Igor Nikolayevich Zubov expressed the Russian Federation’s readiness to repatriate the prisoners of Russian nationality after verifying their citizenship.

The ambassador also emphasized the need for facilitating visa procedures for Iraqi citizens and businesspeople wishing to visit the Russian Federation, aiming to boost trade and tourism and strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

He highlighted that the meeting addressed the issue of Iraqi students who are continuing their studies at Russian universities and are facing difficulties in renewing their student visas despite having obtained official approvals from the universities.

Russian State Minister, Deputy Interior Minister Igor Nikolayevich Zubov affirmed his readiness to address the outstanding issues based on the observations made by the ambassador. He pledged to coordinate with relevant authorities to establish direct communication channels with the embassy to facilitate and expedite procedures, aiming to enhance direct cooperation on various issues of mutual interest in a way that serves the interests of both countries.