Kurdish human trafficker sentenced to 17 years in British prison after social media expose
A key piece of evidence in his conviction was a 2021 video showing Hasan Zada in a bardic session where a singer praised him as "the best smuggler" and claimed "all other smugglers learned from him."
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Preston Crown Court in Lancashire, UK, on Friday sentenced Amanj Hasan Zada, a 34-year-old Kurdish smuggler, to 17 years in prison for human trafficking offenses.
According to The Telegraph, while Hasan Zada had claimed Iranian nationality in Britain, he originally hails from the Kurdistan Region's Sangasar town in the Raparin administration area.
He was arrested by Interpol police and prosecuted for human trafficking operations.
Operating from his home in Lancashire, Hasan Zada orchestrated smuggling operations through social media platforms, facilitating illegal crossings across the English Channel.
He notably posted videos of successful crossings, compelling migrants to express gratitude to him on camera.
A key piece of evidence in his conviction was a 2021 video showing Hasan Zada in a bardic session where a singer praised him as "the best smuggler" and claimed "all other smugglers learned from him."
This footage proved instrumental in British police's investigation and subsequent arrest.
British police further gathered evidence through recorded conversations with other smugglers, where Hasan Zada discussed migration routes and crossing points. Following his arrest in May, authorities seized his mobile phone, revealing multiple social media accounts used for trafficking operations.
The sentencing coincides with the British Home Office's announcement that 133 illegal migrants crossed the Channel by boat on Thursday.
In related tragic news, the bodies of four migrants were discovered on Calais shores earlier this week, with another body found near Dover's channels.
Human trafficking across the English Channel has become an increasingly pressing issue for British authorities. The route is notoriously dangerous, with numerous fatalities reported each year.
The UK government has been implementing stricter measures to combat illegal crossings and prosecute traffickers. This case highlights the growing use of social media platforms by smuggling networks to facilitate illegal migration, presenting new challenges for law enforcement agencies.
The Kurdistan Region, where Hasan Zada originates, has seen many of its residents attempt dangerous journeys to Europe, often falling victim to trafficking networks.