AFP: A Spanish court has decided to extend an investigation into murderous raids in 2009, 2011 and 2013 against Iranian refugees camp Ashraf in Iraq to include Faleh al-Fayad, security adviser to the Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
(Translated)
MADRID (AFP) – A Spanish court has decided to extend an investigation into murderous raids in 2009, 2011 and 2013 against Iranian refugees camp Ashraf in Iraq to include Faleh al-Fayad, security adviser to the Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Faleh al-Fayad will be investigated for alleged crimes against the international community as president of the Ashraf Committee under the Prime Minister of Iraq, according to the decision of the Central Court of Instruction of the National Court in Madrid, dated November 21.
This investigation comes in the wake of a complaint filed against him as a person responsible for serious breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention for his alleged involvement in the killings on April 8, 2011, and September 1, 2013, of protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention living in Camp Ashraf, according to the decision.
In response to this decision of the Spanish court, the president of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI ), Maryam Rajavi called on Iranian dissidents on hunger strike in Iraq and around the world to stop their action.
With the opening of the judicial proceedings against those responsible for crimes against humanity, the international campaign for the release of hostages and the protection of Camp Liberty (near Baghdad) will continue with even more force until it is ultimately resolved, Mrs Rajavi said in a statement.
Judge Fernando Andreu, who investigated the case, decided in January 2011 to investigate abuses by Iraqi soldiers and policemen in Camp Ashraf, where members of the Iranian opposition living north of Baghdad and 11 people are believed to have been killed.
It is based on accusations of relatives of the victims, who had also unsuccessfully requested the involvement in the case of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al -Maliki, who enjoys immunity, stated the Judge Andreu.
The complainants allege that on April 8, 2,500 men of the Iraqi forces, and with at least 140 vehicles, attacked Ashraf residents using armored, commando, infantry and rapid response troops and anti-riot battalions.
It also asserts that on September 1, 2013, Iraqi military forces that surround and occupy Ashraf allowed the murder of in cold blood of 52 residents, according to the decision of 21 November.
The United Nations has recognized that 52 camp residents were killed in the attack, some of whom were shot in the head while they had their hands tied.
Seven other protected people were abducted during the attack and have not yet been released, said the Spanish justice.
One hundred members of the People’s Mojahedin (PMOI/MEK) who were living in Camp Ashraf have accused a special unit of the Iraqi security forces, under the control of the Prime Minister, of responsibility for the attack on September 1, 2013. The Iraqi government has set up a commission of inquiry and said that his forces defended themselves after being attacked.
