Ahmad 
Social media in Iraq was abuzz with news that the Babil provincial police arrested a gang involved in the theft and slaughter of donkeys, to sell their meat to a restaurant in the center of Hilla city.
The provincial police command issued a statement confirming the circumstances and confession of some of the defendants to the crime.
The statement pointed out that eight people were involved in this incident, as three of them were arrested, while efforts are continuing to arrest the remaining five.
As part of the investigations, the defendants revealed their activity in stealing donkeys from villages and areas in Al-Saddah district, and then slaughtering them and marketing their meat for the benefit of the “Al-Meshwar” restaurant located at Al-Thawra intersection in the city center.
The investigating judge decided to form a committee that includes representatives of the Health Control Department, the Directorate of Organized Crime, the Department of Veterinary Affairs, the Department of Environment and the Babylon Police Command, and samples of the restaurant’s meat were collected for examination, and investigations are still ongoing.
The statement stressed the importance of the issue and its serious impact on the health of citizens, as it is noted that donkey meat may be a source of serious diseases, including food poisoning and viral diseases.
The Babil Police Command vowed to keep citizens informed of developments in the ongoing investigations.