SRINAGAR: In a heartwarming turn of events following the fall of the Assad regime, thousands of political prisoners have been released from Syria’s notorious prisons, including the infamous Sednaya Military Prison. The release marks a significant moment in the country’s history, as families are reunited with loved ones after years of uncertainty and suffering.
Among the many emotional stories, Osama Bashir Batayneh, a Jordanian man imprisoned in Syria for 38 years, was reunited with his family at the Jaber border crossing on Tuesday. Arrested in 1986 as a student visiting Syria, Batayneh had been unheard of for decades. He was released from Sednaya Prison, known for its brutal conditions and systematic torture. Though Batayneh suffers from memory loss, his return brought immense relief to his family, who had long feared for his life.
Another poignant story comes from Lebanon, where Souhail Hamwi, a Lebanese national detained in Sednaya since 1991, was finally freed. Hamwi, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment after being accused of opposing Syria’s influence in Lebanon, was released alongside other Lebanese detainees. After over three decades of torment, Hamwi expressed disbelief at his freedom, stating, “I had no hope of leaving prison.”
For some, the moment of release is nothing short of surreal. Ragheed al-Tatari, a former Syrian Air Force pilot, spent 43 years in prison after refusing to bomb civilian areas during the 1980s. His son, Waill Tatari, who had been dreaming of this day since childhood, spoke emotionally of the brief phone call he had with his father after his release. “It feels like a dream,” he said, as he recalled the heart-wrenching years of waiting and uncertainty.
These stories are just a glimpse into the human toll of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime, which is now in its final days. With the fall of the Baath Party and the Assad family’s flight to Russia, many former prisoners are beginning to share their harrowing experiences, shedding light on the atrocities committed within Syria’s prison system.
The global community is now focused on uncovering the full scale of the regime’s crimes, with investigations underway into secret chambers at Sednaya Prison, believed to have held prisoners in inhumane conditions. As survivors emerge from these prisons, their stories serve as a testament to the resilience of those who endured unimaginable suffering.
The reunions have sparked joy and relief, yet they also serve as a reminder of the many families still awaiting news of their loved ones. While some prisoners were released, others remain unaccounted for, and efforts to uncover the full truth of the regime’s abuses continue. As Syria moves towards a new chapter, the hope for justice and healing grows stronger. (Compiled from ground reports by international media)
