Despite amnesty issued by “Salvation Government” | Fate of hundreds of detainees and enforced disappearances in HTS prisons remains unknown
The “Salvation Government”, the executive wing of Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham in areas under its control in north-west Syria region, had issued an amnesty for criminals on condition of having a certificate of “good behaviour”. The decree, which was issued on July 18, 2021, stated the following terms:
- Pardon to be granted for the remaining duration of imprisonment to prisoners who were sentenced by court
- Pardon to be granted for half the imprisonment duration to prisoners who were not sentenced by the court
- Pardon to be granted for the full fine in case that the bail is less than 500 USD or the equivalent in other currencies
- Pardon to be granted for half the fine in case that the bail is over 500 USD or the equivalent in other currencies
The decree has ignited a state of popular anger among the residents of Idlib city and countryside, as it has not covered many of the political prisoners, including activists, civilians, militiamen and commanders of opposition factions. Also, the decree has not covered many detainees who spent long time in prisons just for opposing Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham.
On the other hand, some of the region’s residents have welcomed the decree and considered it as a positive step.
In a testimony to SOHR, the brother of a detainee in HTS prison known by his initial as Q.N. from al-Hawash village in Sahl al-Ghab in the north-western countryside of Hama said “my brother was arrested in October 2018 for ‘funding women affiliated to ISIS in Idlib’, after he received a sum of money from a donor with the aim to distribute it to widows in a camp. Although there were no evidences of this accusation, HTS arrested my brother and prevented anyone from visiting him for over six months. We learned that my brother endured brutal torture in the beginning of his detention. The latest amnesty has not included cases like of my brother’s. I hold Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham responsible for the safety of my brother who has been disappeared in its prisons for nearly a year and half, especially since it did not allow us to hire a lawyer for my brother.”
Another activist from Idlib has shared his point of view with SOHR: “as Syrian regime intelligence service arrests civilians under the pretext of ‘belonging to terrorist groups, Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham arrest civilians also under the pretext of ‘belonging to ISIS’. There is no doubt that HTS prisons contain many oppressed detainees who were arrested for fabricated accusations and detained with no clear evidences. The fate of many detainees and forcibly disappeared prisoners remained unknown, mostly arrested for opposing Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham and its policy. Moreover, there are other people who have been detained over personal disagreements with HTS members and commanders, although they have been never involved in any crimes.”
The recent amnesty has benefited nearly 350 detainees, mostly held in Idlib Central Prison.
In the recent time, and after the decline popularity in north-west Syria region, Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham is attempting to woo the region’s residents, gain more supporters and polish its image before the international community.
It is worth noting that there are too many civilians and military personnel held in HTS prisons in areas under its control, with no an accurate number of the detainees in these prisons where many of the detainees are subjected to various styles of torture.