Erbil police arrest 22 women, accused of prostitution

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Erbil police said on Thursday that they have arrested 22 women who have been accused of prostitution and begging in public places.

Hogir Aziz, spokesperson for Erbil police, told reporters that these women claimed to be fortune tellers as well. 

“Some women in public areas claimed to be fortune tellers and they begged and prostituted. After investigation and formation of a team from our forces in Erbil province to arrest these women, today 22 women were arrested,” he said, adding that the raids came after the news of .

The raids come days after some social media users claimed that such cases exist in Erbil, according to Aziz.

The arrestees are from Kurdistan Region, Iraq, Syria and Iran and they are aged between 15-55, noted the spokesperson. 

Erbil police have carried out several similar raids in recent years, arresting tens of suspects.