SULAIMANIYAH: A migrant-smuggler known as `Scorpion`, wanted in several European countries, was arrested in Iraq`s autonomous Kurdistan region on Sunday, local authorities said, after a BBC investigation tracked him down there.

`After a thorough investigation and exchange of intelligence information... Scorpion was located and arrested on May 12,` Kurdish security forces said in a statement.

`Scorpion`, whose real name is Barzan Majeed, was arrested in the city of Sulaimaniyah at Interpol`s request, said security forces spokesperson Salam Abdel Khaleq.

`We will question him and take appropriate action, Abdel Khaleg added.

A BBC investigation titled `To Catch a Scorpion` published last week tracked Majeed down to Sulaimaniyah.

In an interview with the British broadcaster, he spoke of how he got into the people smuggling business in 2016 during a massive inflow of migrants to Europe.

During their investigation, the BBC team shared their findings `with the authorities in the UK and Europe`.

According to the BBC, between 2016 and 2021, `Scorpion`s gang is believed to have controlled much of people-smuggling between Europe and the UK`.-AFP