SCO Cooperation: Iran Chief Justice calls for SCO judicial unity in fight against transnational crime

Irans top judicial official is calling for stronger legal unity among Shanghai Cooperation Organization members to combat transnational crime cyber threats and unilateral sanctions. In an exclusive interview with CGTN Irans Chief Justice pledged to share the countrys expertise in judicial innovation and sanctions resistance - framing the SCO as a critical shield against global hegemony.

GHOLAMHOSSEIN MOHSENI AJYEH, Chief Justice of Iran "Since the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the international landscape has undergone significant changes, making dialogue, coordination, and policy alignment among member states more important than ever. The SCO holds great potential. Within the SCO framework, Iran is ready to share its valuable experience in judicial cooperation, intelligence exchange, and methodological innovation. Our country has developed a mature system for crime prevention, response, and deterrent punishment, which we are willing to share with international partners for deeper collaboration.

SCO member states, including Iran, must first establish a proper framework for cooperation on cybersecurity. As a long-standing target of global hegemonic powers, Iran has made significant progress in this area over the past few years. At this stage, we urgently need to deepen cooperation with fellow member states which has made remarkable strides in this field.

Artificial intelligence is not only a central issue today but also a key direction for the future. It has the potential to accelerate the intelligent transformation of judicial processes, reduce costs, improve public access to justice, and enhance judicial training systems.

However, the advancement of AI also brings inherent risks. Iran remains alert to these potential threats and is willing to work with other member states to develop a cross-border legal framework to govern its use.

Certain hegemonic powers—particularly the United States and some of its Western allies—have imposed a series of unilateral measures against Iran, aiming to halt our development through so-called 'crippling sanctions'.

And Iran is not the only country currently subjected to unilateral coercive sanctions; other SCO member states also face similar threats. Therefore, we must establish a multilateral cooperation mechanism that integrates legal frameworks and practical measures, enabling us to share our experience in turning threats into opportunities with fellow member states."