Iraqi Justice Minister, Hassan Shammari The Iraqi presidency has denied it has been deliberately delaying the ratification of death sentences issued against criminals in the country, stating that that most of the verdicts calling for capital punishment had already been ratified.
A spokesperson for the Iraqi presidency, Nassir al-Ani, on Monday issued a statement in response to accusations by Justice Minister Hassan Sammari, who said in an earlier interview with Arabstoday that "the Iraqi presidency has on purpose not yet issued a decree that allows for the implementation of death sentences against certain convicts."
"There may be a political agenda behind the delay," he added.
However the presidency said: "Most of the death sentences which were sent to the president have been ratified."
"There are still some which are currently waiting to be revised before ratification," the statement concluded.
Minister Shammari said earlier to Arabstoday that there are "dozens of leaders" of the movement 'Islamic State of Iraq', who were sentenced to death three years ago by the Supreme Court. He however alleged that the President Jalal Talabani's office had refrained from issuing a decree that would allow the Ministry of Justice to  implement the punishment.
"Those convicted are those who were trying to impose an Islamic State in Iraq affiliated to al-Qaeda by using violence, aand confessed committing dozens of crimes and killing hundreds of Iraqi people,” he exclaimed.
Shammari warned of a political deal which may prevent the ratification and lead to dangerous consequences if those criminals returned to the streets.
Iraq is led by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, whose leadership has plunged the country into a political crisis as opponents allege his rule is becoming increasingly authoritarian.