Israeli Man Freed From Iraqi Prison After Decade, Death Sentence
Benjamin (Ben) Hassin, an Israeli citizen born in Iraqi Kurdistan, was released today after more than ten years in an Iraqi prison, during which he was sentenced to death by hanging. Hassin was born in Kurdistan and immigrated to Israel with his family as a child.
In 2014, he returned to the region to visit his grandparents. During the war against ISIS, he joined Kurdish forces fighting the organization. In 2015, while traveling in a taxi, the driver reportedly heard Hassin speaking Hebrew and threatened to hand him over to ISIS. An altercation ensued, the driver was injured and later died, and Hassin was arrested.
In 2020, he was sentenced to death by hanging. Following a prolonged international effort, a reconciliation was reached with the driver's family in November 2025. Approximately $250,000, raised through donations, was paid to the family, who then granted him forgiveness, and his death sentence was commuted.
Hassin was released today and is expected to return to Israel soon.
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