SNA leader helps 3 drug dealers escape prison in Syria’s Afrin
AFRIN, Syria (North Press) – A leader of an armed faction affiliated with the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) facilitated the escape of three prisoners from the Military Hospital in Afrin, northwestern Syria, an exclusive source told North Press on Tuesday.
Firas Salim Salem, known as Abu Bakr Zaid, Ali Haboush, and Wanis Ahmad, who had been arrested months ago on various charges, including drug trafficking, were smuggled from the hospital on Monday with the help of a leader in the Military Police, the source said.
The Military Police Prison in Afrin reportedly detains more than 370 individuals without undergoing trials. The prison serves as a temporary detention center, and does not have the authority to determine the fate of the prisoners, according to the source.
On Nov. 17, a prison riot took place in the Military Police Prison, reportedly, to facilitate the escape of several prisoners with the assistance of the Military Police faction. Several prisoners were injured during the riot, including the three escapees.
The Military Hospital in Afrin, where the three detainees were taken, is directly managed by the Turkish army, according to the source.
Meanwhile, anotehr source told North Press that a young man by the name of As’ad Muhammad Bellao, was arrested by Abu Mahmoud al-Asmar, a militant of the Sultan Murad faction, in the town of Bulbul in the countryside of Afrin.
He was detained while attempting to cross into Turkey. Al-Asmar demands $2,500 from Bellao’s relatives to release him.