Justice Ministry forms investigative committee after escape of two juvenile inmates

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Justice Minister Khalid Shwani ordered the formation of an investigative committee after two inmates escaped from a juvenile correctional facility before being arrested, the ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said, “The Ministry of Justice wishes to clarify the incident involving the escape of two inmates.”

The ministry said that “in accordance with the directives of the Prime Minister, a joint task force was immediately formed by the relevant authorities to track down the escapees, who were arrested through intelligence efforts and a specialized operation in a short period of time.”

“The Ministry of Justice extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to the heroes of the Ministry of Interior for their efforts in tracking and apprehending the fugitives,” the statement said.

Shwani formed a committee to investigate the escape and directed that “all negligent individuals be referred to the competent court,” the ministry said.

The escape is the latest in a series of recent incidents involving prison breaks in Iraq. In May, security forces in Babil governorate announced the escape of two inmates from the Hilla Correctional Facility.

On April 30, an inmate serving a life sentence for murder escaped from Azadi Hospital in Duhok while receiving medical treatment, triggering an immediate security response.