Amman – Osama Rantissi
An advisor of Iraq’S Prime Minister, Nouri Al Maliki, demanded that Jordan hands Raghad, Saddam Hussein’s daughter, back to Iraq. In remarks published by Iraqi media that were made by Amer Al Khuzai on Saturday, he said: “Iraq demands the return of persons from the old regime who are wanted by the government and the Interpol, and Raghad is one of them.” He pointed out that the Iraqi judiciary insists on Raghad’s return so she could face trial. This is not the first time that the case of Raghad has been discussed by the Iraqi judiciary, however Jordan refuses every time to deal with the issue, as Raghad received personal and political safeguards from the Jordanian government, which states that Jordan will not deal with any Iraqi or international memorandum regarding Raghad. Recent press reports mentioned that Al Maliki had put Raghad’s name on a list of 20 people that are wanted by Iraq, and demanded their return through Interpol. A number of those people are in Jordan. According to media sources, Raghad has been personally informed that Amman will not be responsible for such lists and that she will remain under protection as long as she is committed to what has been agreed on, which is to avoid any political or media activity in Jordan. Raghad left Iraq to Jordan in 2003 following the US invasion of Iraq and the fall of her father President Saddam Hussein.