Rabat – Morocco and Saudi Arabia have signed three new agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation in criminal justice, building on the enduring partnership between the two nations.
Morocco’s Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef Al Saud, signed the accords on Wednesday in Riyadh.
The agreements cover mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, the transfer of convicted individuals, and procedures for extradition, Morocco’s Ministry of Justice said in a statement.
Signed on Wednesday, these agreements lay a foundation for cooperation in legal and judicial matters, including shared efforts in investigations, prosecutions, and trials.
The Ministry of Justice highlighted that this enhanced collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to combating cross-border crime.
The agreements are designed to address various forms of criminal activity while also providing avenues for the rehabilitation of convicted individuals, it added.
One key aspect of the agreements involves the transfer of incarcerated individuals between Morocco and Saudi Arabia, allowing detainees to serve their sentences in their home countries.
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This provision, viewed as a humanitarian gesture, aims to help prisoners stay connected with their families, potentially easing their reintegration into society upon release.
By facilitating such transfers, both nations express a commitment to prioritizing the well-being of detainees while upholding justice and accountability.
At the signing ceremony, Morocco’s Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, emphasized the importance of the agreements, describing them as a step forward in both countries’ approach to tackling transnational crime.
“These agreements represent a significant milestone in our judicial and security cooperation, strengthening our commitment to ensuring justice and accountability,” Ouahbi stated.
He stressedd that the partnership would enhance both nations’ abilities to address complex criminal cases that transcend borders.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both countries to discuss broader areas of shared interest, such as strategies to counter organized crime and efforts to reinforce judicial and security cooperation within a framework that respects each nation’s sovereignty.
Both parties acknowledged the importance of maintaining effective communication and aligning strategies to address emerging security challenges.
Several senior officials attended the signing, including Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Interior, Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood, and Morocco’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mustapha Mansouri.
