Inside Syria’s Notorious Sednaya Prison: 72 Methods of Torture, Thousands Killed, and 100,000 Prisoners Still Unaccounted For

On December 8, rebel forces seized control of the infamous Sednaya Prison after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country. Thousands of prisoners were freed from the facility, but even after three days, some detainees remain trapped. The delay is due to the prison’s underground cells, which are difficult to access.

According to Amnesty International, President Assad imprisoned millions of dissidents in the dark dungeons of Sednaya Prison. This notorious facility was infamous for torturing inmates with more than 72 types of abuse. Over the past 14 years, more than 100,000 people were executed under Assad’s orders at this prison.

The prison has witnessed the torture and murder of over 157,000 individuals, including 5,274 children and 10,221 women. After Assad’s escape and the prison’s capture by rebels, thousands of Syrians have flocked to Sednaya Prison, hoping to find information about relatives detained or disappeared during Assad’s regime.

Execution Scheduled for Sunday, Saved by Rebel Takeover

The rebel capture of the notorious Sednaya Prison turned into a lifeline for 63-year-old Bashar Barhoum. Barhoum revealed that he had been brought to the prison seven months ago and was scheduled for execution on Sunday. However, the rebel forces seized the prison, allowing him to escape.

Another former inmate shared that as many as 25 people were crammed into a small cell. Survivors described the oppressive silence enforced by the guards, where speaking was strictly prohibited. Unable to communicate verbally, many prisoners resorted to writing messages on the walls.

The Iron Press: A Tool of Execution Found in Sednaya Prison

The only way into Sednaya Prison is through a winding spiral staircase surrounded by iron bars, leading to three notorious wings of the facility. Rebels report that each wing is infamous for its unique forms of brutality. In one of the wings, the rebels discovered an “Iron Execution Press,” allegedly used to crush prisoners to death.

The Human Rights Network has documented 72 methods of torture employed by the prison authorities. These include administering electric shocks to prisoners’ genitals, hanging heavy weights from their bodies, burning inmates with metal rods, gunpowder, or flammable pesticides, and crushing prisoners’ heads between walls and iron doors. Other punishments involved inserting needles or metal pins into their bodies, leaving lasting scars of cruelty and inhumanity.

Fear Lingers: Prisoners in the Red Wing May Die of Starvation

Sednaya Prison is located on a hill, 30 kilometers from the capital, Damascus, and is surrounded by two layers of landmines. When the rebels seized the prison, 1,500 hostages were freed. However, CCTV footage has revealed that many more prisoners remain trapped in underground cells known as the Red Wing.

The exact location of the Red Wing remains unknown. Reports suggest that over 100,000 prisoners are confined in this section. With all prison officials loyal to Assad having fled, there is growing fear that these prisoners could die of starvation unless the wing is located and assistance is provided.

Mohammed Al-Bashir Appointed as Interim Prime Minister

In Syria, Mohammed Al-Bashir, who played a key role in uniting rebel factions to overthrow Bashar al-Assad, has been appointed as the interim Prime Minister. In a televised address, Bashir stated his readiness to serve in this position until March 1 of the upcoming year. He will lead a small cabinet during this interim period. Notably, Bashir is currently overseeing the administration of the Idlib province.