Eight held in Diyala blackmail ring bust in eastern Iraq

DIYALA, Iraq — Security forces in Iraq's Diyala province have arrested eight people accused of running a blackmail network, a local security source said. The group, made up of six men and two women, allegedly struck deals with citizens to arrange transactions before pressuring them for money through various forms of coercion. Following weeks of surveillance, security units detained all eight suspects in a single operation, the source added. The detainees have been referred to the relevant authorities to begin judicial proceedings. Diyala security units said the investigation was launched in response to citizen complaints. The operation was described as part of ongoing efforts in the province to dismantle such organized networks.