An Iraqi man was sentenced to life imprisonment on human trafficking charges after being convicted of recruiting Iraqi citizens to fight for Russia against Ukraine, Iraqi authorities announced on Monday.

The Najaf Criminal Court issued a statement indicating that the convicted man “formed groups and sent them to fight in foreign countries in exchange for financial compensation,” and that the sentence was issued based on Iraq’s anti-human trafficking law.

An Iraqi judicial official and a senior security officer, speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authority to comment, identified the man as Risan Falah Kamel, who was convicted of recruiting fighters and sending them to fight alongside Russia.

Earlier this year, Ukrainian officials said large numbers of Chinese citizens are fighting with the Russian army, and they collected detailed intelligence on more than 150 mercenaries allegedly recruited by Moscow through social media, although Beijing denied these allegations.

The United States and South Korea also accused North Korea of sending thousands of soldiers and ammunition to assist Russia on the battlefield, which mainly focuses on regaining control of Kursk after Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion last August.

In April, Pyongyang confirmed these allegations after a long silence on the matter.

The Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party in North Korea said Kim Jong Un sent forces to Russia under a mutual defense treaty ratified by both countries in late 2024.

In a statement circulated in the media, Kim affirmed, “Those who fought for justice are all heroes and representatives of the honor of the motherland.”