A former Syrian Military Justice official, responsible for thousands of death sentences, has been arrested in Assad’s stronghold of Tartus. But not before he got away with $150 MILLION in bribes.
At a Glance
- Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, former Syrian Military Justice official, arrested in Tartus province
- Hassan issued thousands of death sentences for detainees in Saydnaya prison
- He allegedly profited $150 million from bribes paid by relatives seeking information on detainees
- The arrest highlights ongoing issues of missing detainees and human rights abuses in Syria
- International organizations call for justice and accountability in Syria
Arrest of Former Syrian Official Sheds Light on Regime’s Brutality
Syrian authorities have apprehended Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, a former Military Justice official from Bashar al-Assad’s government, in the regime’s stronghold of Tartus province. Hassan, who led Syria’s military field court from 2011 to 2014 before being promoted to Chief of Military Justice, is accused of issuing death sentences for thousands of detainees in the notorious Saydnaya prison.
The arrest of Hassan, along with 20 members of his entourage, marks a significant development in Syria’s ongoing struggle with human rights abuses and accountability for war crimes. Saydnaya prison, located near Damascus, gained infamy for its extrajudicial executions, torture, and forced disappearances during the Syrian civil war.
Syria's new authorities have arrested a military justice official who issued death sentences for people held in the notorious Saydnaya prison under the ousted government of President Bashar Assad.https://t.co/THyB0BCcwr
— DW News (@dwnews) December 27, 2024
Kanjo Hassan’s Reign of Terror and Profiteering
During his tenure, Hassan allegedly presided over hasty trials that resulted in numerous death sentences. According to Diab Serriya, a prominent figure in the Syrian human rights community, these trials were often brief and unjust.
“Thousands of people ‘faced’ trials that lasted minutes,” Serriya said.
The Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Saydnaya Prison estimates that approximately 30,000 people were detained at the facility since 2011, with only about 6,000 released. The fate of many prisoners remains unknown, underscoring the dire human rights situation in Syria.
International Reactions and Calls for Justice
The arrest of Hassan has been welcomed by Syria’s exiled National Coalition of opposition forces. The group hailed the development as an “important step on the path to justice and the prosecution of those who committed crimes against the Syrian people,” according to a statement.
International organizations continue to call for justice and accountability mechanisms in Syria. The arrest of such a high-ranking official may signal a shift in the country’s approach to addressing past human rights abuses, though skepticism remains about the true motives behind the action.
Ongoing Challenges and Refugee Returns
As Syria grapples with its violent past, the country faces ongoing challenges related to displaced populations and security concerns. UN Refugee Chief Filippo Grandi recently reported that over 50,000 refugees have returned to Syria in the past three weeks, adding to the 34,000 verified returns in the first eight months of the year.
“Material conditions inside Syria remain dire — more humanitarian and recovery assistance must be delivered to returnees and all those in need,” Filippo Grandi said.
The 13-year civil war displaced approximately 5 million people abroad and 7 million within Syria. While many refugees express interest in returning, concerns about security and political stability persist. The arrest of figures like Hassan may influence perceptions of safety and justice, potentially impacting future refugee returns.
