"Biometric Observatory" documents the escape of detainees from the Sheikh Maqsoud prison in Aleppo and systematic violations against the inmates.
A report by the "Fingerprint Observatory for Human Rights" revealed details of the escape of dozens of detainees from the central prison in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo, controlled by the "Syrian Democratic Forces" (SDF), following the withdrawal of the former Syrian regime forces from the Shuhada area in northern rural Aleppo.
The report indicated that the withdrawal of government forces led to a security vacuum in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiya, resulting in the loss of control over several security facilities, including the central prison, where guards abandoned their positions, allowing chaos to erupt and inmates to escape collectively.
The "Fingerprint Observatory" relayed testimonies from former detainees confirming that prison personnel burned official files and detainees' records before leaving, making it easier for many prisoners to break cell doors and flee to civilian neighborhoods in Aleppo to hide.
Despite reports of armed factions entering the area, causing some escapees to halt their flight, the SDF redeployed and conducted raids resulting in the re-arrest of several escapees, as per the report.
Specific Cases Documented in the Report
Among the cases documented in the report was Nasreen Hassan Dabsu (19 years old) from the village of Basouta, sentenced to five years in prison for "communicating with Turkish entities," who escaped during the chaos and was re-arrested.
The list also included Badeea Klin Mohammed (born in 1983) from the village of Joueik, a mother of three children, who was re-arrested on similar charges.
The documents also mentioned Nazliye Manan (Areen) from the village of Qurt Qalaq, a former fighter who lost one of her eyes in battles in 2018, arrested months before the regime's fall, escaped during the chaos, returned to prison, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Jwan Kamal Ali (25 years old) from the village of Joueik, a former member of the SDF, was re-arrested on charges of communicating with relatives in Afrin and possessing a Turkish SIM card.
Serious Violations Against Detainees
According to testimonies of former inmates, detainees were subjected to serious violations, including electric shocks, burning with cigarette butts, forced "virginity tests" for women, as well as repeated beatings and insults.
The report confirmed that these methods were used to extract confessions under torture, considering any communication with areas outside SDF control or possession of Turkish phones as "espionage" punishable by detention.
Urgent Human Rights Demands
The "Fingerprint Observatory" called for revealing the fate of detainees in the Sheikh Maqsoud prison, conducting an independent investigation into the violations, and enabling human rights organizations to visit detention centers.
It also urged an end to arbitrary arrests based on kinship or suspicion, ensuring fair trials, and providing healthcare and psychological care for detainees.
The report concluded by emphasizing that these practices are "no less dangerous than violations of the former regime," calling for the accountability of all involved under the slogan: "Behind every fingerprint is a story deserving justice."
