The National Security Service arrested two accused of practicing magic and sorcery in Baghdad. The Service stated in a statement: "After receiving accurate intelligence information and obtaining judicial approvals, the National Security Service detachments in Baghdad were able to arrest two suspects who practiced witchcraft and sorcery", where they were caught red-handed and in possession of many tools used in witchcraft, such as pictures and names written on papers, words and terms known as "talismans".. it continued: "After conducting investigations with them, they explicitly confessed that they had exploited some women who had fallen victim to their actions, whose number exceeded (400) women, and practiced shameful acts with them, after which they were threatened and blackmailed in exchange for obtaining money, as the total sums they received were more than (300) million dinars. Their statements were recorded in accordance with the law, legal procedures were completed against them, and they were referre d to the judicial authorities to receive their just punishment." Source: National Iraqi News Agency