TEHRAN (Mehr News Agency) -– The Iraqi Governing Council has decided to expel the members of the terrorist Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) from Iraq because of many crimes committed by them and will put on trial those Iraqis who associated with them, the spokesman for the Iraqi Governing Council Hamid Kafani said on Wednesday.

The toppled Saddam regime used the MKO both for suppressing the Iraqi people and in its war against Iran and that is why that the IGC has decided to expel them from the country, Kafani said in an interview with the Mehr News Agency.

These moves are intended to expand relations with Iran, he stated, adding that Iraq desires good relations with all its neighbors including Iran, therefore this decision was made as a sign of goodwill by Iraq for promoting relations between the two countries. In Response to a question whether the Americans were involved in this decision Kafani said, “This decision was made independently by the IGC and the Americans had no influence on the decision and they didn’t put any pressure upon the council regarding the decision.” “The decision was put forth to U.S. officials and media on Tuesday and they have not responded yet.” When asked whether they will be handed over to Iran or they will join the other 1000 MKO members in the Jordanian desert he said, “These people will not be handed over to any country and will only be expelled from Iraq. The council is only concerned that these people leave the country. Where they intend to go is not important.” “The Council has also decided to prosecute all those associated with the MKO and or cooperated with them. Their belongings will also be confiscated.”

On the handover of some criminal MKO members to international courts the spokesman note that this issue has nothing to do with Irag, and Iraq is not responsible to hand these people over to international courts.