12 Iraqi Young Men released after attempt to migrate from Libya to Europe illegally

The Iraqi Embassy in Libya announced on Friday evening the successful release of 12 Iraqi young men who had been detained after entering the country to illegally migrate to Europe.
In an official statement, the embassy explained that the release came as a result of continuous efforts and follow-up for two months, in coordination with the Libyan authorities.
The embassy stated that in 2024, it brought back more than 25 Iraqi citizens who were taken into custody in Libya while attempting to illegally migrate to Europe.
The embassy renewed its warning to Iraqi youth about the dangers of engaging with human smuggling networks, pointing to the legal consequences and serious risks they may face, in addition to exploitation and financial extortion.
It is worth noting that the number of illegal migrants in Libya reached about 2.5 million by the end of last year, according to data from the Ministry of Interior.