Khaberni - The Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday the dismantling of a network known as “Devil Worshipers” that was practicing extortion and harming victims, confirming at the same time its success in dismantling 22 international networks involved in migrant smuggling during the current year.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, Abbas Al-Bahadli, during a press conference, stated that efforts to combat sexual exploitation crime led to the dismantling of 96 networks involved in this type of crime, in addition to recording 99 victims, while sentences have been issued against 276 defendants so far.
Regarding the smuggling of migrants and foreign labor, Al-Bahadli pointed out that the relevant authorities dismantled 22 international trade networks during the current year, resulting in 91 victims, while sentencing reached 13 individuals.
He also disclosed the ministry’s efforts to combat child trafficking crimes, where 17 networks involved in this crime were dismantled, and the number of victims reached 26 children, alongside sentencing of 24 defendants.
In a related context, the ministry announced the dismantling of 16 begging networks involving 39 victims, with judicial sentences issued against 37 individuals, and the spokesperson referred to the dismantling of networks involved in organ trafficking, with recording 10 victims and issuing sentences against 24 defendants.
Al-Bahadli emphasized that the security forces are also continuing to combat magic and sorcery, pointing out that 154 suspects were arrested during the current year.
In turn, the director of the Directorate of Combating Human Trafficking, Brigadier General Mustafa Al-Yasiri, confirmed significant progress in tracking criminal networks, indicating that one of the most notable operations involved dismantling an international network for smuggling migrants, and sentencing its leader to 15 years in prison after confessing to his crime.
Al-Yasiri also announced the dismantling of the “Devil Worshipers” network specialized in extortion and harming the victims, explaining that the network includes individuals from several countries and is responsible for 16 other networks focusing on self-harm.
In a shocking incident within the human trafficking file, Al-Yasiri revealed the arrest of parents who sold their child for 350,000 Iraqi dinars, before they regained the child and tortured him to death, resulting in a death sentence by hanging for the father based on the crime.
