Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council opens misdemeanor court in Mosul

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council has opened a misdemeanor criminal court in central Mosul, the council announced. The court is intended to allow judicial proceedings in the city to be handled locally rather than referred elsewhere. In a written statement, the council said the decision had been approved and that the new court had begun operations. It said the court would provide judicial services to residents of Mosul and support the strengthening of the judiciary in the area. The council added that the court would operate in accordance with existing judicial legislation. The reopening of the misdemeanor court is part of broader efforts to restore judicial infrastructure in Mosul that was previously used to handle legal proceedings in the city. The council said the new court is expected to speed up legal processes and allow cases to be completed locally. No further details on staffing or a start date for hearings were immediately available.