Traffic officer arrested in Najaf on sexual assault allegations

NAJAF, Iraq — A traffic directorate employee was taken into custody in Najaf on allegations of sexual assault against a woman, a security source said on Thursday. The arrest warrant was issued by a judicial order after the woman filed a complaint accusing the officer of sexual assault. In his initial statement to investigators, the officer claimed the encounter was consensual, according to the same source. The detention was carried out under Article 396 of Iraq's Penal Code No. 111 of 1969, as amended, which addresses sexual offenses. Legal proceedings are ongoing to clarify the circumstances of the incident and to issue the appropriate judicial ruling once the investigation is concluded, the source added. No further details were immediately available.