Iraqi Man Sentenced for Trafficking Fighters to Russia

Baghdad (AP) An Iraqi man has been handed a life sentence for human trafficking after enlisting Iraqis to join Russia's fight against Ukraine, according to court officials on Monday.

The Najaf Criminal Court announced in a statement that the man was found guilty of "organizing groups and dispatching them to engage in combat abroad for money." His sentencing was based on Iraq's anti-human trafficking legislation.

Identified as Risan Falah Kamel by a judicial and a senior security official, both speaking anonymously due to restrictions, the convicted man was accused of recruiting fighters to support Russian forces.

Since Russia's 2022 invasion, foreign fighters have reportedly allied with both Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian authorities have claimed significant involvement of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia. They reportedly compiled detailed intelligence on over 150 mercenaries whom Moscow allegedly recruited via social media. China has refuted these accusations.

Additionally, officials from the United States and South Korea suggest that North Korea has dispatched soldiers and ammunition to aid Russia.

At the onset of the conflict, Ukrainian representatives noted that over 20,000 individuals from 52 nations had joined their defense against Russia. However, current figures regarding foreign fighters in the Ukrainian military remain classified.

Last year, a British fighter aligned with Ukrainian forces was captured by Russia in the occupied Kursk region. (AP) SKS SKS

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)