Iraqi authorities arrest parents in Basra over alleged torture of two daughters

BASRA, Iraq — Security forces in Iraq’s Basra province arrested a man and his wife on Friday after two young girls were reportedly found tortured at a family home in the Deyr district, a security source said. The operation followed an arrest warrant issued by a judge at the Harise investigation court. Acting on the warrant, Najm forces and personnel from the Ali police station raided the residence, the source said. The parents were taken into custody, and the two girls were discovered locked in a bathroom. Medical checks found burns and signs of physical assault on both children, who were taken to hospital. The source said the younger girl was in critical condition. Authorities said legal proceedings were continuing and that the suspects would be referred to court.