Miqdad Miri, interior ministry spokesperson, told reporters at a press conference in Baghdad that 140 death sentences have been handed out for drug-related charges, with an additional 500 offenders sentenced to “life imprisonment” for the same offenses. Iraqi penal code considers a “life sentence” to be 20 years.
“For the first time in the history of the Iraqi state, 140 death sentences are being issued for drug traffickers from January 1, 2023 until now,” Miri said without providing previous statistics.
On the same day, a Baghdad court announced that six people were sentenced to death on drug-related charges. The Supreme Judicial Council’s media reported that the criminals were found in possession of 30 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine intended for distribution in Iraq and smuggling to Gulf countries.
The suspects were arrested per Article 27 of the Iraqi Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law, according to the statement.
Any suspect charged with exporting, importing, producing, or planting narcotic substances shall be sentenced to either death or life imprisonment in accordance with the article.
In 2023, more than 19,000 people were arrested across Iraq on drug-related charges, the interior ministry said, adding that more than 15 tons of psychotropic substances were seized. While in December, the ministry reported that 7,397 people had received sentences on drug-related charges in 2023.
Eleven executions took place in Iraq during 2022, Amnesty International reported that it was able to confirm, down from 17 in the previous year. The number of death sentences issued in the country also dropped significantly - from 91 in 2021 to 41 in 2022.
The rights watchdog placed Iraq among countries where the death sentence was carried out “after proceedings that did not meet international fair trial standards.”
Reports of drug addiction, smuggling, and dealing have been on the rise in Iraq in recent years, despite strict measures taken by the government.
The country lacks rehabilitation centers for drug addicts, as well as resources to raise awareness about the repercussions of drug use. Most drug consumers end up arrested rather than rehabilitated.
