Syria's Interior Ministry announced on Thursday that a police officer has been arrested and may face criminal prosecution after an investigation found he struck a detainee with a medical condition, who later died. The officer, identified as Ahmad Jawad, has been detained and referred to the public prosecutor.
The victim, Mohammad Ghamira, 29, died on Sunday. He suffered from haemophilia, a rare bleeding disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly. Ghamira was a father of two and a volunteer with the White Helmets, a civil defence organisation that operated in rebel-held areas, conducting search and rescue missions and providing medical care.
The investigation revealed that Ghamira had informed internal security personnel about his condition, and his wife twice alerted authorities to the potential danger. Ahmad Latouf, head of the investigation committee and assistant interior minister for police affairs, confirmed that Ghamira died from a brain haemorrhage believed to have been caused by the slap.
Two other police officers are under investigation but are not currently due to be prosecuted. Ghamira's death has sparked widespread anger in Syria, reminiscent of the systematic human rights abuses under former President Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December 2024.
New leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has promised a new era prioritizing human rights and an inclusive government. However, human rights organisations have documented ongoing abuses by government forces, particularly against minority groups.
Interior Minister Anas Khattab stated that the investigation results demonstrate the ministry's 'commitment to reaching the truth and holding accountable those proven to have overstepped.' He added, 'We rose up against the former tyrant's regime in rejection of injustice and impunity, and therefore, building a state of law begins with our ability to hold the wrongdoer accountable and give restitution to the victim.'
Reporting from Latakia, Al Jazeera's Heidi Pett noted that the Syrian government has vowed further action, including surveillance in police stations and better training for officers, though this will take time. Pett highlighted that Ghamira's death resonated widely because he was a respected White Helmets volunteer, seen as a hero in his community.
Ghamira was arrested last week on theft charges, released, and died at a hospital in Latakia on Sunday. A forensic examination found no visible signs of violence, skull fractures, or traumatic wounds.
Source: www.aljazeera.com