The mastermind behind the prison breakout from a Baghdad police station on Saturday (August 3rd) has been arrested, the Iraqi Interior Ministry announced Thursday.
"The General Anti-Drugs Directorate early Thursday morning arrested the mastermind behind the escape of detainees from al-Qanah prison in Baghdad," the ministry said in a statement.
"So far, nine out of 15 escaped detainees have been arrested," it said, adding that the remaining detainees are being pursued.
The 15 suspected members of a drug trafficking network escaped custody on Saturday, after having "insulted the police, then beaten them", according to a security services official.
In the incident's aftermath, the ministry dismissed eight officers and security personnel on charges of negligence and rule violations.