The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

After arresting HTS’ first judge | HTS security services launch arrest campaign in Idlib

SOHR activists have reported that the security services of HTS launched an arrest campaign, arresting members and commanders of independent organizations and commanders of HTS in Idlib city, amid security tension in the city and its primary positions.

This comes hours after HTS arrested its first judge.

Yesterday, Tahrir Al-Sham arrested its first judge, Abu Al-Qasim Al-Shami, from Idlib in the early hours of Monday morning, confiscating his personal weapon and personal devices and phone, SOHR activists reported.

According to Syrian Observatory sources, the arrest of Al-Shami came days after he resigned from his post.

It is worth noting that Al-Shami held office a large number of positions and managed a lot of sensitive security files, such as the post of General Officer of the Internal Judiciary of “Tahrir Al-Sham,” the organization’s case officer.

Al-Shami is a judge of Security and Military Criminal Court in Idlib, a former judge of Civilian Criminal Court, and a former official of Idlib Military Court.

This arrest came in light of the escalation of internal disputes among top leaders of Hayyat Tahrir Al-Sham following recent changes in its policy through the removal of militants, the curtailment of their role and ongoing arrest campaigns against jihadists of non-Syrians of “Huras Al-Dinn” and other jihadist formations.

On June 27, SOHR activists monitored security tension among security forces of HTS in preparation for security operation against “Ansar Al-Islam” jihadist faction in Idlib, and they cut some roads in the vicinity of Idlib city.

The official spokesman for Public Security Agency of HTS said “Al-Ghelew (rationalism) is considered one of the most dangerous social, intellectual and psychological threats destroying the society and caused by incorrect understanding of the purposes of Islamic laws and how to apply them, Intellectual deviation, using Islamic laws for own benefits and other causes.

This results in rationalism in religion, ex-communication and killing of Muslims, fanaticism of opinion and prohibition of what is permissible. This puts the society and its members in danger, leading to the killing of Muslims, wasting their money, destruction of their families and the dismantling of the society, where crimes of rationalism and excommunication committed by ISIS and other cells affect the society.

This comes as a part of the ongoing anti-jihadist campaign launched by Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham in areas under its control in order to impose unilateral full control and domination in areas in Idlib and parts of the countryside of Aleppo, Latakia and Hama.