Aleppo: Syrian authorities announced Sunday the arrest of a former officer at Syria’s notorious Sednaya military prison accused of overseeing torture and executions during the Assad era.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Interior Ministry stated that security units in the northern city of Aleppo arrested Haitham Rahhal, a former colonel who served at Sednaya prison under the former regime. Preliminary investigations revealed that Rahhal began his service at the prison as a captain, later advancing to a security officer, and eventually being promoted to colonel.
Authorities have accused Rahhal of overseeing torture operations and committing ‘serious violations’ against detainees. He was also reportedly responsible for supervising the transfer of victims’ bodies to Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus. Furthermore, Rahhal has admitted to overseeing execution platforms in coordination with military officials, field court judges, and Mahmoud Maatiq, the former prison director.
The suspect later held several security posts, including positions at Baloni prison in Homs in 2019, the Military Police Command in Damascus, and a police branch in Deir ez-Zor. The Interior Ministry indicated that this arrest is part of ongoing efforts to pursue individuals involved in crimes against Syrians during the former regime and to bring them to justice.
Sednaya prison, located north of Damascus, gained notoriety as one of Syria’s most infamous detention centers following the outbreak of the Syrian revolution in 2011. International human rights organizations have repeatedly documented instances of torture and abuse at the facility. A 2017 report by Amnesty International highlighted that approximately 13,000 people were secretly executed at the prison between 2011 and 2015.
The new Syrian administration has consistently announced arrests of individuals accused of committing abuses against civilians during the 2011-2024 conflict, emphasizing efforts to ensure accountability. Bashar al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on December 8, 2024, ending the Baath Party’s decades-long rule that began in 1963. A transitional administration led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa was formed in January 2025.