Iraqi People Smuggler Avoids Full Trial After Claiming Trauma, Found Guilty in Trial of Facts

Image: Jihad Watch

An Iraqi man accused of orchestrating the smuggling of hundreds of migrants into the United Kingdom has avoided a full criminal trial after citing severe psychological trauma. The court heard that Mohammed Ali Nareman, 37, played a central role in an international people-smuggling network that charged vulnerable migrants thousands of pounds to reach Britain via yachts, lorries, and small boats.

Nareman’s operations came to light in February 2022 when a yacht carrying 14 migrants ran aground near Rye, Sussex. Authorities apprehended Nareman alongside Ali Omar Karim, 47, from Portsmouth. Among those detained by Border Force officers were individuals from Iran, Iraq, and Albania, including two children.

Evidence gathered during the investigation painted a chilling picture of the smuggling operation. Videos recovered from the group’s phones showed migrants aboard the yacht, with one clip featuring a voice declaring: “We are all Hama Kalari’s passengers, thank the great God now we are in the water.” Investigators later confirmed that the alias “Hama Kalari” referred to Nareman himself.

Despite the weight of evidence, Maidstone Crown Court ruled that Nareman was unfit to stand trial due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, and depression. The judge noted that his mental health prevented him from being cross-examined or properly instructing his defence team.

Instead, the court conducted a trial of facts, a legal procedure in which a jury determines whether the defendant committed the alleged acts without issuing a formal conviction. Following this process, jurors concluded that Nareman had indeed carried out people-smuggling offences, confirming the findings of a thorough investigation led by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

The case highlights both the dangers posed by international people-smuggling networks and the complex legal considerations surrounding defendants with severe mental health conditions. While Nareman will not face a traditional criminal sentence, the ruling underscores the ongoing challenge for authorities in balancing justice with the mental wellbeing of accused individuals.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)