Bashar Mahfoud, formerly of the Assad regime’s 25th Division, has been arrested in Damascus for war crimes, including torture, kidnapping, and robbery. His apprehension aligns with ongoing efforts to combat organized crime in Syria. Local citizens are hopeful that this arrest will inspire greater accountability for war crimes.
Syrian security forces in Damascus have arrested Bashar Mahfoud, previously the commander of assault groups in the Assad regime’s 25th Division, for war crimes during the Syrian civil war. The division, under Suhail Al-Hussain, transformed into a criminal entity known for kidnapping and robbery after the regime’s decline. This arrest is part of broader efforts to combat organized crime and restore order in the capital.
Bashar Mahfoud was instrumental in the 25th Division during the civil war, which gained infamy for serious human rights violations, such as indiscriminate killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions. He was responsible for recruiting and training fighters for assaults targeting protests against the regime.
The 25th Division is accused of war crimes in regions like the Damascus countryside, Homs, and Hama, where incidents of field executions and property destruction have been documented. Mahfoud specifically was notorious for using heavy weapons indiscriminately in civilian-populated areas, leading to significant civilian fatalities.
International and local human rights organizations have linked Mahfoud to tortures that resulted in deaths at a detention center managed by the 25th Division. Following regime instability, he allegedly established a criminal gang involved in kidnappings and robberies, using his military contacts to target affluent individuals in and around Damascus.
The Damascus Security Directorate apprehended Mahfoud after extensive intelligence efforts. His activities were under surveillance for months, culminating in a coordinated raid that captured him and seized weapons from his hideout. The New Arab’s Arabic sister site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, reports that Mahfoud confessed to his involvement in crimes during initial questioning and disclosed details about his criminal network, leading to the apprehension of several accomplices.
Local residents expressed relief at Mahfoud’s arrest, viewing it as a positive sign in addressing past injustices. There are calls for his case to be pursued in court to ensure transparency and allow victims to share their testimonies. Activists are also pushing for international inquiries into the war crimes associated with the 25th Division and its commanders, particularly Suhail Al-Hassan.
The arrest of Bashar Mahfoud represents significant progress in addressing organized crime and war crimes in Syria, especially given his previous role in the Assad regime’s notorious 25th Division. Local residents and activists are hopeful this will lead to accountability for those responsible for the numerous crimes committed during the civil war. Continued calls for fair trials and international investigations reflect a pressing need for justice in the region.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
