Syria detains suspects over violence in Suwayda

Syrian authorities have questioned and detained personnel from the ministries of defence and interior suspected of committing crimes against civilians in the predominantly Druze province of Suwayda in July.

According to Caliber.Az, the investigation committee overseeing the incident confirmed the detentions to Syria.tv.

Committee spokesperson Ammar Ezzedine told Syrian and regional media on Tuesday evening that individuals from both the interior and defence ministries had been questioned and handed over to judicial authorities due to their alleged involvement in the abuses.

Ezzedine did not disclose the number of personnel detained but said all were Syrian nationals who had allegedly committed atrocities in a personal capacity.

He added that the committee had presented suspects with video evidence showing them committing violations, without specifying the nature of the offences.

“Video recordings are sufficient as evidence, as militants filmed themselves,” Ezzedine said, noting that several of the detainees also admitted to wrongdoing after viewing the footage.

“They were detained by the ministries of interior and defence for transfer to the courts once the investigation is complete, to ensure they face public trial for crimes committed against Syrians,” he said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev