Morocco and Saudi Arabia signed three pivotal agreements on Wednesday in Riyadh, seeking to bolster criminal justice cooperation between the two countries.
Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdelaziz bin Saud bin Nayef Al Saud led the signing ceremony.
The agreements establish frameworks for legal cooperation in criminal matters, provide for the transfer of convicted individuals, and set up extradition procedures for wanted individuals.
According to Morocco’s Ministry of Justice, the accords will streamline collaboration on investigations, prosecutions, and trials to curb crime in both countries.
Under the agreements, Morocco and Saudi Arabia seek to improve the efficiency of cross-border judicial operations by reducing impunity and strengthening legal frameworks for handling criminal cases.
The deals promote shared security efforts within each country’s legal bounds, allowing both sides to engage in joint work that respects national laws.
The ministers also discussed facilitating the transfer of incarcerated individuals between the two countries. The initiative would help inmates reconnect with their families, supporting social and psychological rehabilitation for those serving sentences away from home.
Justice Minister Ouahbi noted the relevancy of the agreements, calling them a “milestone in legal and security cooperation” that reflects a strong, strategic alliance between Morocco and Saudi Arabia.
“These accords enhance justice and enable a more effective fight against transnational crime, reflecting our shared commitment to lasting security and stability,” Ouahbi added.
The meeting also allowed the leaders to address broader concerns, such as tackling organized crime and enhancing mutual judicial and security cooperation while respecting public order and sovereignty of each county.