Iraq interior ministry forms probe after two juveniles escape Rashad prison, 15 guards detained

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Interior Ministry said Saturday it formed an investigative committee into the escape of two convicted inmates from the Rashad juvenile prison, with the inquiry leading to the detention of 15 reform guards pending investigation.

In a statement, the ministry said the committee was formed on the interior minister’s orders and is being led by the Rusafa Intelligence Directorate under the direct supervision of the Rusafa Central Investigative Court.

“After the incident involving the escape of two convicted inmates from the Rashad juvenile prison, an investigative committee was formed to examine the circumstances of the escape and uncover its causes,” the statement said.

The ministry said the investigation is being conducted in coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council and the Ministry of Justice.

“The investigative measures resulted in the detention of 15 suspects from the reform guards pending investigation, after obtaining the required legal approvals, on suspicion of negligence or failure to carry out their assigned duties,” the statement said.

The Interior Ministry said security forces rearrested the two escapees through coordination with police in Najaf and Babil.

“As part of field follow-up and intelligence efforts, the security forces were able to arrest the escaped convicts through joint coordination with Najaf police and Babil police,” the statement said.

The committee is continuing its work “to determine how the escape occurred, accurately identify responsibilities and hold those at fault accountable according to the law,” the statement said.

The announcement follows an earlier Justice Ministry statement that Justice Minister Khalid Shwani ordered the formation of a separate investigative committee after two inmates escaped from a juvenile correctional facility and were later arrested.