Syrian Man Dies Under Torture Days After Returning from Germany

Yusuf Labbad, a young man from the Qaboun neighborhood in Damascus, has died while being held in a detention center affiliated with Syria’s Ministry of Interior. His death came just days after returning from Germany to Syria, and shortly after being detained near the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. Both official and family sources have confirmed the incident.

According to relatives, Labbad was taken into custody following a verbal altercation with members of the General Security. Not long afterward, the family was informed of his death. Images of his body, which Hurriya will not be sharing, show clear signs of violent physical abuse, including bruises and trauma to his head, torso, and legs.  His wife, Soondus Othman, publicly mourned her husband and voiced her outrage in a Facebook post. Her translated statement reads:

To all relevant authorities, and especially the General Security: My husband was arrested from the Umayyad Mosque and died at the hands of the General Security under torture. Every part of his body shows signs of abuse, and I had seen him just two days before this. He returned to his family as a lifeless body. Where is the safety in this country anymore? I demand justice for my husband and the rights of my children. Anyone with a conscience and even a shred of humanity must speak up. Oh people, wake up. Tomorrow, it could be your son. Today they did this to Yusuf. If you stay silent about his rights, your turn will come. Someone will come and kill your sons without anyone stopping them. This is a generation that does not fear God and knows no difference between what’s lawful and what’s forbidden. May God avenge every oppressor. May God burn the heart of those who burned ours for Yusuf. #Demand_Justice_for_the_Martyr_Yusuf_Labbad"

The Ministry of Interior has confirmed that Minister Anas Khattab has ordered an investigation into the incident. The Ministry has stated that the investigation is expected to look into the circumstances surrounding Labbad’s death and hold accountable any individuals found responsible.