Syrian regime hands over Hama prisoners to Red Cross
Syrian regime hands over Hama prisoners to Red Cross
Following prisoners' riots, the Syrian regime has agreed to hand over 35 detainees from Hama jail to the Red Crescent, who will then be transferred to opposition-held areas.
1 min read
The prisoners will be transferred to opposition-controlled areas in Hama countryside [Getty]
The Syrian regime has handed over 35 prisoners from Hama central jail to the International Committee of the Red Cross, following days of riots.
The prisoners will be transferred to opposition-controlled areas in Hama countryside.
The decision was taken after a delegation from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent visited the prison, with sources from inside the prison confirming the release was approved against the backdrop of riots by detainees.
"The problem started on Sunday, when the prison authorities transferred five political prisoners to Sidnaya military prison in Damascus," to an "unknown location," Director of the Media Centre in Hama, Yazan Shadawi told The New Arab.
The prisoners took control of the prison and held several guards hostage, while other guards responded with force. There were also reports of a fire at the jail.
Activists on social media used the hashtag #Hama_prison and shared footage showing the prisoners detaining guards as they took control of the prison.
Syrian regime forces stormed the prison on Monday in retaliation to the riots.
"Regime forces threw tear gas among crowds of protesters which led to several cases of suffocated and the guards closed the doors," a source from the prison told The New Arab.
The prisoners have now reached a 24-hour truce.
The prisoners will be transferred to opposition-controlled areas in Hama countryside.
The decision was taken after a delegation from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent visited the prison, with sources from inside the prison confirming the release was approved against the backdrop of riots by detainees.
"The problem started on Sunday, when the prison authorities transferred five political prisoners to Sidnaya military prison in Damascus," to an "unknown location," Director of the Media Centre in Hama, Yazan Shadawi told The New Arab.
The prisoners took control of the prison and held several guards hostage, while other guards responded with force. There were also reports of a fire at the jail.
Activists on social media used the hashtag #Hama_prison and shared footage showing the prisoners detaining guards as they took control of the prison.
Syrian regime forces stormed the prison on Monday in retaliation to the riots.
"Regime forces threw tear gas among crowds of protesters which led to several cases of suffocated and the guards closed the doors," a source from the prison told The New Arab.
The prisoners have now reached a 24-hour truce.
More In News
