Erbil police raids nightclubs, arresting nearly 200 people

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Two nightclubs in Erbil city have been raided by police in the last couple of days, arresting nearly 200 people. Erbil governor said late Wednesday that this is part of a wider campaign to prevent activities which go against cultural norms. 

Erbil police said in a statement late Wednesday that, in coordination with Kurdistan Region Security Council, they arrested 102 men and 77 women as well as the owner of the nightclub these people were spending time in late hours of Tuesday. 

A large amount of “illegal material” was confiscated, according to the statement. 

Rudaw has learnt that these nightclubs have been accused of being places of prostitution and gambling. 

Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw said late Wednesday that the campaign continues, adding that a second nightclub was raided by police.

He also said the campaign is aimed at “serving the public interest and preventing unpleasant phenomena,” noting that the campaign targets hotels, restaurants, bars and halls. 

A source from one of the nightclubs told Rudaw that each visitor spends up to $1000 in these nightclubs per night. 

Erbil police have previously arrested people in similar raids.