Extradition of Shi’i Offenders to Non-Shi’i Islamic Countries from the Perspective of Imami Fiqh and Iranian Law

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD in Criminal Law and Criminology, Al-Mustafa International University, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences Mashhad Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Extradition is one of the most important forms of legal and judicial cooperation among states: it consists of measures by which states return offenders who have fled to another country to the state of prosecution or enforcement. States use extradition to preserve security and punish offenders. The question becomes more complex where the requested person is a Shi'i Muslim and the requesting country is an Islamic but non-Shi'i state. Imami fiqh, with its emphasis on justice, human dignity, and protection of the believer's life and religion, does not permit extradition where there is fear of death, torture, religious coercion, or unfair trial. Iranian law, under the Constitution and the Extradition of Offenders Act of 1960, contains conditions such as treaty basis, dual criminality, and respect for minimum guarantees, but lacks a systematic mechanism for assessing sectarian risk. This study argues that extradition should be refused absent credible assurances of fair trial and protection of religious rights.

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References

 

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Studies of Islamic Jurisprudence and Basis of Law
Volume 19, Issue 52 - Serial Number 52
January 2025
Pages 365-388

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