More than 300 migrants from Iraq’s Kurdistan region were allegedly kidnapped and subjected to severe abuse in Libya while attempting to reach the United Kingdom, according to testimonies from former captives and information gathered during a recent investigation.
The migrants, most of them young men, were reportedly detained by an armed group after arriving in Libya during the summer of 2025. Families were later contacted and ordered to pay ransom demands of $5,000 for each captive. Relatives who failed to make prompt payments were allegedly threatened with the removal of their loved ones’ organs.
Several former hostages who have since returned home described months of captivity under harsh conditions. They reported being held in overcrowded cells, suffering physical abuse, and receiving minimal food and medical care.
Some of the released migrants showed scars and injuries they said resulted from torture while in detention. Others shared photographs that appeared to show surgical marks, raising concerns that some captives may have been subjected to forced organ removal.
Medical experts consulted about some of the images indicated that the scars were consistent with surgical procedures involving kidney removal. However, there has been no independent confirmation that organs were actually taken from the victims.
At least one migrant is believed to have died during the ordeal, while the fate of several others remains uncertain.
According to accounts from victims and their families, the migrants had initially paid smugglers to arrange their journey from Iraqi Kurdistan to Europe through North Africa. Libya served as a key transit point before the planned crossing of the Mediterranean Sea.
Investigators say the kidnappings were linked to a dispute involving individuals connected to the smuggling network responsible for organizing the migration route. One of the figures associated with the operation, Noah Aaron, is currently serving a prison sentence in France following convictions in separate human smuggling and money laundering cases.
The case emerged during an investigation into people-smuggling activities operating from the Kurdish town of Ranya, an area where authorities have long reported the presence of organized trafficking networks.
Former hostages described extremely difficult living conditions during their captivity. One survivor said he suffered burns as a form of torture, while another, a teenager, recalled spending months inside a crowded cell with nearly 180 detainees.
According to testimonies, prisoners had limited access to food, sanitation and medical treatment. Families were often pressured to send additional money to improve conditions or secure the release of their relatives.
Human trafficking experts note that kidnappings for ransom have become a persistent problem along migration routes through Libya. Years of political instability and the influence of armed groups have created an environment where criminal networks can operate with limited oversight.
Despite the dangers, migration from Iraqi Kurdistan toward Europe continues. Regional officials say many people remain willing to take significant risks in search of better economic opportunities abroad.
Authorities in the Kurdistan Region have encouraged survivors to share their experiences in an effort to discourage others from undertaking similar journeys. However, officials acknowledge that the desire to migrate remains strong, even among families directly affected by tragedy.
The allegations have once again highlighted the dangers faced by migrants travelling through Libya and renewed concerns about human trafficking, exploitation and abuses occurring along migration routes toward Europe.
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