Leaked Saydnaya videos may harm justice process – Rights advocate
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Bassem al-Ahmad, Executive Director of Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ), on Wednesday said that videos from Saydnaya Prison—whether leaked or privately stored—constitute additional evidence of human rights violations, warning that “publishing or leaking such footage often harms the course of justice.”
Al-Ahmad told North Press that the appearance of prison guards in the clips could prompt them to destroy evidence once they realize they may face prosecution.
On Tuesday, Syrians circulated video clips on social media showing scenes from inside Saydnaya Prison, just days before the collapse of the former Syrian government.
According to what was shared online, the footage appears to be from internal surveillance cameras. One clip shows the date Dec. 2, 2024—about six days before the government’s collapse—raising questions about the timing of the leak.
Al-Ahmad questioned the motives behind releasing the material. “The key question is why this volume of archive material is being published. If it was released by the Syrian government or individuals affiliated with it, this would be a grave mistake,” he said.
He suggested the possibility that individuals who obtained the footage published it due to the inability of transitional justice bodies or the authorities to properly handle the file.
Al-Ahmad stressed that leaks and public dissemination can affect the course of transitional justice depending on the nature of the material released. “It is preferable to share such documents with official bodies and international entities capable of dealing with cases like this,” he added.
He also noted that the motive behind publishing the evidence could be political, possibly aimed at advancing political agendas or diverting attention from other issues in Syria.