Scare

Human rights group accuses Assad regime of profiting from detainees forced to sign away their rights, some while blindfolded.

It was only after Ibrahim’s release from prison in 2020 that he learned he had been stripped of all civil rights, including the right to own property or possessions. Ibrahim said he decided to leave Syria after being detained and then ejected from a government building for attempting to obtain a passport for his young daughter. “All of our family properties are now held by the state. They tell people in the village that this land, these properties belong to terrorists so that no one dares approach or ask any questions.” The state also seized properties and a computer equipment shop previously operated by his family. Al Haj and other former detainees interviewed by the Guardian said they were forced to sign convictions against them while blindfolded, after being tried on terrorism charges for taking part in protests.