Israeli-Canadian Freed From Iraqi Prison After Decade, Death Sentence

Ben Hassin, an Israeli-Canadian citizen, returned to Israel this week after spending 11 years in Iraqi prisons, including a period under a death sentence. Hassin arrived in Israel just before Yom Kippur, following the completion of his release process, and has been declared free from legal or security threats.

Hassin's ordeal began in 2015 when he traveled to Iraqi Kurdistan for a family visit and decided to join local forces fighting against ISIS. During a taxi ride, an altercation erupted with the driver after Hassin's Israeli identity was discovered. Hassin claims he shot the driver in self-defense. The driver later died from his injuries, leading to Hassin's arrest, trial for murder, and a death sentence.

While imprisoned in Sulaymaniyah, and later transferred due to events on October 7th, various parties engaged in a complex legal and diplomatic effort for his release. This included representatives from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, lawyers, donors, and members of the Jewish community. An agreement was reached with the deceased driver's family for a reconciliation settlement, involving a financial compensation of approximately $200,000. This led to his death sentence being commuted to life imprisonment, which was later reduced to 15 years.

After serving two-thirds of his sentence due to good behavior, Hassin was released from prison and returned to Israel with his father. His return marks the end of a complicated legal and political saga spanning over a decade in a hostile country, and he is now beginning his civilian life anew in Israel.