HTS keeps prisoners despite finishing sentences

IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) kept four prisoners in its cells in central prison of Idlib Governorate, northwest Syria, despite the end of their sentences, a private source told North Press on Saturday.

The General Security Apparatus, affiliated with the HTS, refused to release the four detainees, despite the end of their sentences, which are three years and ended yesterday, according to the source.

The detainees are displaced civilians who were arrested earlier on charges related to incitement against the HTS on social media, the source added.

The detainees are Muneer al-Hassan, Uday al-Raai, in addition to two people from the city of Palmyra, central Syria, who live in the village of al-Sheikh Bahr, west of Idlib.

By Hani Salem