Syria releases prisoners from "slaughterhouse" prison, known for years of torture – photo, video

All prisoners have been released from the Sednaya military prison, which became a symbol of the brutality of the Bashar al-Assad regime, according to the White Helmets NGO whose volunteers searched the prison building.

Source: White Helmets; Anadolu Agency

Details: This prison reportedly used to hold thousands of innocent people detained by the former Assad regime. The families of those who had disappeared and survivors believed that some prisoners may have been unable to leave the prison during the last two days when the Assad regime was overthrown. Relatives of the disappeared prisoners reported that people were being held in tightly closed and guarded secret rooms.

Volunteers conducted a search of the prison. Five teams were involved in the operation, including two teams with dogs. The teams checked all entrances, exits, ventilation shafts, sewage systems, water pipes, etc.

➡️ Drone footage of Sednaya prison captures relatives of prisoners searching the complex for victims

• Between 2011 and 2015, around fifty people were hanged each week and detainees endured systematic torture pic.twitter.com/p3cw8jwddr — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 10, 2024

"Specialised teams from The White Helmets conducted a thorough search of all sections, facilities, basements, courtyards, and surrounding areas of the prison. These operations were carried out with the assistance of individuals familiar with the prison and its layout. However, no evidence of undiscovered secret cells or basements was found," the statement said.