On June 16, 2014, at around 1 p.m., between eight and ten officers from the Hezbollah militias and military forces driving Hummers and Silverado cars arrived at Al Janabi’s home in Musayib, in the Babylon Province. Some of the officers were dressed in military clothes, while others wore civilian attire. They arrested Al Janabi without showing a warrant nor giving any reason for his arrest, before driving towards Jurf Al Sakhar – an area that was under the control of the Hezbollah militias at the time.  

Al Janabi’s family were informed that he would be released after interrogation, but he did not reappear.

In the week following Al Janabi’s arrest, his family enquired about his fate and whereabouts at Al Hamia Police Station, the Central Criminal Court, Ministry of Interior and Baghdad Airport Prison, among others, but to no avail.