Riyadh al-Adhadh, head of Baghdad’s Provincial Council, said in a press statement Dec. 28, “During the month of December 2016, Baghdad saw 25 kidnapping cases. These are [just] the cases that were reported to the security forces. I believe this phenomenon is growing because of unemployment and people’s need for money.”
Baghdad Operations Command is the security force for the Iraqi capital. It has a department specifically to combat kidnapping and track down gangs. The department has set up a kidnapping hotline for citizens to report cases. Despite these efforts, the kidnappings continue. Some officials, including Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, believe that the general amnesty law passed Aug. 25 by parliament is at least partly to blame for the rise in kidnappings.
Under the law, people convicted between 2003 and the date the law was approved can apply for amnesty, except those convicted of 13 types of crimes including terrorist acts resulting in death or permanent disability, rape, human trafficking, money laundering and embezzlement. Though the law doesn't mention kidnapping specifically, some experts believe it allows these criminals to manipulate the system to their benefit. Parliament is considering amendments to the law.
Many officials are reluctant to provide statistics about kidnappings. Ministry of Interior spokesman Brig. Gen. Saad Maad declined to respond to questions about kidnapping statistics or speculate on the motivations behind the crimes.
Saad al-Matlabi, a member of the Security Committee of Baghdad’s Provincial Council, told Al-Monitor, “We do not have any statistical data on abductions in Baghdad.”
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