Baghdad police reject student's kidnapping claim as fabricated

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Police in Baghdad have concluded that a university student who reported being kidnapped on his way to an exam fabricated the story, the Rusafa Police Command said. Officers said an investigation along the student's stated route found no evidence of an abduction and determined his account did not reflect reality. In his statement, the student admitted that he invented the kidnapping story out of fear of punishment from his father and pressure related to his upcoming exams, according to the police command. The case had gained wide traction on social media after the student appeared on a television channel to recount his alleged ordeal. Authorities said legal proceedings have been initiated against the student. The Rusafa Police Command announced publicly that the incident was fabricated following the inquiry. No further details were immediately available.