A former detainee tells Al Jazeera the horrors of torture in the Political Security branch in Damascus policy

In an unusual scene, a former detainee returned to the Political Security Branch in the city of Al-Fayhaa in Damascus, accompanied by his family, not for interrogation or arrest, but to tell them the story of his suffering behind the walls of this place, which witnessed severe episodes of torture and inhuman treatment.

In horrific details, the former detainee revealed the humiliating arrest and investigation procedures, as the series of torment begins from Cell No. 5 in which he was detained.

He explained how the jailers deliberately humiliated the detainees by forcing them to crawl out of a small door, only to be greeted by beatings in the face upon their exit, while forcing them to look at the ground and walk in this humiliating position.

The journey of torture continues with what is known as “tameshaat,” which are blindfolds to cover the eyes, which the detainee is forced to wear before being taken to one of the five interrogation rooms in the branch.

In the investigation room, the detainee faces further humiliation, as he is forced to wait on his feet, placing his hands on his head, with his eyes closed for hours, and being beaten for any movement.

The matter reaches its climax during the investigation sessions, as the detainee is subjected to severe beatings using a green water hose, accompanied by insulting insults, even when answering simple initial questions such as name and place of residence. To illustrate the horror of what was happening, the former detainee reenacted the method of beating with his son. .

In the “Individuals” section, specifically Single No. 14, correspondent Omar Al-Hourani spent 40 days, describing it as one of the worst moments in his life.

He also revealed the existence of the “ghost room” in which prisoners were hung for days, where traces of their chains were still engraved on the walls, bearing witness to their suffering.

Although this family was lucky to have its breadwinner emerge alive, tens of thousands of detainees were not so lucky.

Estimates indicate that there are large numbers of forcibly disappeared people who died in security branches and regime detention centers, while their families still hope to find them alive in secret detention centers.

This report represents a living testimony to the gross human rights violations committed in the Syrian security branches, documenting a dark chapter of human suffering in contemporary Syria.