Former Torture Victims Transform Notorious Syrian Prison into a Site of Justice

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Three former detainees of Syria's infamous Palestine branch prison returned to the facility in Damascus on February 10, 2025, now free men hoping to repurpose it into a place of justice. The men, linked to the Ahrar al-Sham militant group, initially explored their past solitary confinement cells, a stark reminder of the years spent amid torture and abuse. Mahmoud Chtawi expressed his sentiments, stating, “Finally this is justice” upon entering his old cell.

The Palestine branch, also known as branch 235, has been synonymous with torture under Bashar al-Assad's regime, housing hundreds of prisoners, including foreign nationals subjected to extreme interrogation methods. Despite an atmosphere laden with trauma, locals cautiously arrived to report crimes and seek assistance from the new guards. Former investigator Ibrahim Younis expressed hope for the facility's transformation, suggesting it could serve as a hub for citizen rights rather than oppression.

“There should be some form of intelligence services,” he noted, reinforcing the need for a shift from past abuses to a future of accountability. The cohort of survivors embodies both the pain of their past and the aspiration for a reformed justice system in Syria.

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