Iraqi man sentenced to life over recruiting fighters for Russia against Ukraine

An Iraqi man has been sentenced to life in prison for human trafficking after he recruited Iraqi nationals to fight for Russia against Ukraine, court officials said on Monday.

The Najaf Criminal Court said in a statement that the convicted man had "formed groups and sent them to fight in foreign countries in exchange for financial compensation" and that the verdict was issued based on Iraq's anti-human trafficking law.

An Iraqi judicial official and a senior security officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment, said the man, whom they identified as Risan Falah Kamel, was convicted of recruiting fighters and sending them to fight alongside Russia.

Earlier this year, Ukrainian officials said that significant numbers of Chinese nationals were fighting with Russia's army and that they had gathered detailed intelligence on more than 150 mercenaries Moscow allegedly recruited through social media.

Beijing denied the allegations.

US and South Korean officials also say that North Korea has sent thousands of troops and ammunition to help Russia on the battlefield, fighting mainly to retake control of Kursk, where Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion last August.

After initially remaining silent on the claims, Pyongyang confirmed in April that it had sent North Korean troops to Russia.

Kim Jong-un had sent troops to Russia under a mutual defence treaty that both countries ratified in late 2024, North Korea's Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party said.

“They who fought for justice are all heroes and representatives of the honour of the motherland,” Kim said, according to the statement sent to state media.