Released captives reveal the dark reality of Syrian jails

Stories of unimaginable suffering are emerging from prisoners released from Syrian jails following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the rebels’ victory.

International media reported that after the fall of Assad’s government and the rebels’ takeover of Damascus and other regions, thousands of former detainees have begun recounting their experiences of imprisonment.

One viral video on social media featured a former prisoner who shared, “In prison, I had no name, only a number. The Assad regime arrested me, and my family believed I was dead.”

The young man described how many others were also detained without their families’ knowledge, spending years in captivity.

Reports indicate that some of those recently freed were moments away from execution. One former detainee revealed, “Fifty-four of us, including myself, were scheduled for execution just 30 minutes ago. Now we stand free in the heart of Damascus.”

Another former prisoner, Ali Hassan, was released after 39 years. Arrested by Syrian soldiers at a checkpoint in northern Lebanon in 1986, Ali was just 18 and a university student at the time. Since his capture, his whereabouts had remained unknown.

These stories highlight the enduring trauma faced by those who suffered under Assad’s regime.