Publication of reports by the respective organizations

Execution Room Found in Syria’s Sednaya Prison, Linked to 10,000 Victims Under Assad Regime

Jan 10, 2025, 11:57 AM

Reports have emerged detailing the discovery of an execution room in Sednaya Prison, a facility notorious for human rights abuses under the Assad regime in Syria. Anadolu Agency located the site, known for systematic executions and torture, using information from international human rights reports and former detainees. The execution room, situated in the prison's 'white building,' was reportedly used for mass hangings, with up to 50 prisoners executed weekly between 2011 and 2015. Over 10,000 victims are believed to have died in Sednaya over the past 14 years. The prison, described as a hub of atrocities, held political prisoners and civilians accused of opposing the regime. Anadolu Agency's investigation revealed remnants of the execution infrastructure, including platforms used for hangings, aligning with documented accounts. Yusuf Özhan, Anadolu Agency's Deputy General Manager, highlighted the importance of documenting these crimes, stating, "Sednaya Prison is known as one of the places where the Assad regime's crimes against humanity were most severe." This development comes amidst broader efforts, including international collaborations, to document crimes committed during Assad's rule, following the regime's collapse.