Justice Sought in Erbil as Trial Begins for Alleged Mastermind of English Channel Tragedy

The trial of an alleged Iraqi-Kurdish people smuggler, accused of involvement in the 2021 English Channel disaster, has commenced in Erbil. This case is connected to ongoing investigations and prosecutions in France and the UK. The accused, identified as Bashdar, whose real name is Hajar Mina Abdullah, is alleged to have played a role in the smuggling operation responsible for the November 2021 crossing, which resulted in the deaths of 31 individuals attempting to reach Britain from France. He was brought into the courtroom in handcuffs by police officers and seated at a stand. Dressed in a beige shirt and a yellow vest marked "Erbil Police," he appeared well-groomed and walked confidently. His appearance drew emotional reactions from the families of the victims present in the courtroom, with one woman questioning his well-being and another beginning to cry.

The proceedings in Iraq follow legal actions in France against 14 men accused of organizing the fatal crossing. In September, a Paris court convicted 13 defendants, imposing sentences for offenses including manslaughter and migrant smuggling. The English Channel disaster was the deadliest migrant shipwreck recorded in the area, with most of the deceased being Iraqi Kurds. This tragedy intensified scrutiny of the criminal networks facilitating dangerous journeys to Britain.

The UK's response to the disaster was reviewed by the Cranston Inquiry, which published its final report in February 2026. The inquiry concluded that some deaths could have been avoided due to failures in the response by British and French authorities, highlighting systemic issues in search-and-rescue operations, including communication breakdowns and missed intervention opportunities.

Bashdar was apprehended in Iraq in October 2022 as part of broader efforts to prosecute those suspected of orchestrating the perilous France-UK crossing. The Kurdistan region, UK, and France have collaborated to dismantle smuggling networks involved in Channel crossings, with investigations into the 2021 disaster spanning multiple countries. The UK has focused on disrupting these networks upstream, engaging Iraq and the Kurdistan region in an international working group to prevent migrants from reaching Europe. The issue has become a significant point of discussion in British politics, particularly concerning border security and immigration.

The trial in Erbil brings the case back to the Kurdistan region, the origin of many victims and their families. Zana Mamand Mohammed, whose brother Twana perished in the crossing and whose body was never recovered, has been a leading advocate for the victims' families in their pursuit of justice. French lawyers Matthieu Chirez and Thomas Ricard stated that Bashdar is being tried in Erbil because the same individual cannot be tried twice for the same crime in different countries. They added that the victims' families in France are closely monitoring the proceedings, which represent another step in a legal process that began nearly five years ago.

Before the court hearing, Mr. Mohammed and other family members gathered for mutual support. He reminded them of their purpose, while several women wept. Mr. Mohammed has emerged as the primary spokesperson for the families, spearheading their fight for accountability. Inside the courtroom, relatives were called forward by the judge, positioning them near the man they hold responsible for their loss. Mr. Mohammed presented the case against Bashdar, recounting his brother's fate and that of other relatives in the Channel disaster.

Bashdar's lawyers were present, but none of his family members attended the hearing. The courtroom also included university students, observing the proceedings. Mr. Mohammed detailed his brother Twana's journey, explaining that Twana, then 18, contacted Bashdar and paid a $3,200 deposit through a money shop. Twana traveled from Erbil to Istanbul, then to Italy, and finally to France before the fatal crossing on the night of November 23-24. Mr. Mohammed informed the court that the migrants were told they would use a good boat, but the vessel, intended for 25 people, carried 34. The provided life vests were also inadequate; Rasul Farka testified that his son Pshtiwan's life vest was torn when the boat capsized. Pshtiwan, who was 18 when he left, is among the four whose bodies were never found. Mr. Farka stated his son had intended to earn money for his sister Srwa’s heart surgery.

The judges did not issue a sentence on Monday, and no date has been set for future sessions. However, proceedings have been initiated against the money shop mentioned by Mr. Mohammed. Bashdar's defense does not dispute his role as a smuggler but denies placing the victims on the boat. As he was escorted out, Bashdar appeared angry and mumbled to himself.

Following the session, the parents of Afrasia Ahmed Mohammed arrived, having missed the hearing due to Afrasia's mother's recent surgery. Mr. Farka described Afrasia's mother as elderly and frail, still recovering from surgery. He showed a photo of his son, who was 27 at the time of his death. Pshtiwan, Twana, and Afrasia had traveled together. Previous reporting by The National has linked smuggling networks involved in the Channel tragedy to Ranya, a town in Iraqi Kurdistan that has become a hub for people-smuggling operations, utilizing money-exchange businesses known as hawalas for payments.

Srwa expressed happiness that the smuggler was being tried in Erbil and hoped for a severe punishment. Sunniva Rose contributed reporting from Paris.