Baghdad police arrest two suspects in Adhamiya human trafficking operation

BAGHDAD — Baghdad Police Command announced on Thursday the arrest of a man and a woman involved in human trafficking after they were caught in an operation in the Adhamiya area. The suspects allegedly sold two children for four million Iraqi dinars ($2,638).

In a statement, the Baghdad Police Command said: “Under the supervision and follow-up of the Commander of Baghdad Rusafa Police, accurate information was received regarding a human trafficking ring involved in selling children. According to the details, the suspects sold two children for four million dinars.”

A task force was formed in collaboration with security forces and law enforcement agencies. The suspects were lured to a specific location near Qasim Abu Al-Kas Restaurant in Adhamiya, where an ambush led to their arrest.

The two suspects have been handed over to the Office for Combating Organized Crime for further legal procedures.

Similar cases have been noted recently. In late-November, the Iraqi Federal Police reported that they successfully prevented an attempt to sell a newborn baby in Baghdad’s Karrada district, apprehending five women. According to a statement from the Ministry of Interior, the women were attempting to sell a seven-day-old infant for $80,000.

On the same day in November, the Directorate for Combating Human Trafficking and Organ Trade in Najaf announced the arrest of a person attempting to sell a child for 75 million Iraqi dinars ($49,800) in Kufa’s Sahla area.

In July this year, Iraq’s Ministry of Interior announced that 345 individuals involved in human trafficking were arrested during the first half of the year.

Iraq’s anti-human trafficking initiatives are rooted in Law No. 28 of 2012, known as the “Anti-Human Trafficking Law.” This legislation aims to prevent trafficking, safeguard victims, and prosecute offenders while upholding societal legal protections. According to Article 7 of the law, penalties for organ trafficking include prison sentences of up to 10 years and fines ranging from 10 million Iraqi dinars ($7,645) to 25 million Iraqi dinars ($19,113).

Despite the law, a 2022 report by The Washington Institute for Near East Policy highlighted persistent challenges in addressing the issue. The report pointed to poverty, unemployment, and the control of trade networks by militias as key drivers behind the rise in organ trafficking. Additionally, weak legal frameworks and underperforming security institutions were identified as significant contributing factors.