Foundations and Evolution of Nationality-Based Jurisdiction

Investigating the criminal laws of different countries show that nationality principle is one of the most important principles of extra-territorial criminal jurisdiction. For the first time in the history of Criminal law in Iran, the principle of nationality-based jurisdiction was accepted. The rule of No Double Jeopardy which had been rejected in the wake of Islamic Revolution (1979) came into existence once again . However, some other evolutions could also come to view in the same line with the consideration of jurisdiction based on the nationality of victim such as the application of jurisdiction is subjected to the claim of plaintiff and also the opinion of public prosecutor’s office; these two conditions were not in contrast to Shaira standard at least in the field of Tazirat