Death of Young Man “Fater Ratib Hamdan” Under Torture Following Detention in a Hama Prison… Documentation of a Series of Other Violations in Homs and Tartus
On April 1, 2026, a young man named Fater Ratib Hamdan passed away at Al-Kindi Hospital in Homs city due to severe injuries resulting from torture endured during his detention. This incident falls within a disturbing pattern of gross human rights violations targeting civilians in several Syrian regions in recent days.
According to documented information, the victim, Fater Ratib Hamdan, hailed from the village of Al-Hadathah in the Homs countryside and belonged to the Alawite sect. He had been arrested by a security entity in the region approximately one year and two months ago, before being released on March 19, 2026, in critical health condition.
Medical sources at Al-Kindi Hospital reported that his condition was terminal upon arrival due to extreme torture during his period of detention, which led to his death just days after his release. Data indicates he was subjected to brutal torture practices believed to have directly contributed to the deterioration of his health.
Reports further suggest that his arrest occurred within the context of security campaigns targeting Alawite-majority areas in the western Homs countryside, prior to widespread violent events witnessed in the region during March 2026.
Second Incident: Discovery of the Body of a Murdered Man Following Abduction in Homs
In a separate incident, the body of Mr. Hussam Ahmed Baddour, aged 41, was found discarded in a street in the Wadi al-Sayeh neighborhood of Homs. It was determined that he was killed by a gunshot wound to the head.
The victim, who was also from the Alawite sect, had gone missing on March 28, 2026, after leaving for his job at a restaurant in the Al-Khalidiyah neighborhood. The following day, information emerged regarding an unidentified body at Karam al-Loz Hospital, where his brother was later able to identify him.
Third Incident: Civilian Injured During Armed Robbery in Safita
On March 29, 2026, the city of Safita in the Tartus countryside—a Christian-majority area—witnessed an armed robbery targeting a branch of the “Al-Haram” money transfer office.
The incident resulted in the severe injury of the office manager, Fadi Halloun, a Christian, due to direct gunfire. The perpetrators fled after seizing sums of money.
Fourth Incident: Arbitrary Arrest of a Local Official in the Masyaf Countryside
In a related context, the arrest of Dr. Manaf Izzat Muhammad, head of the Wadi al-Uyun municipal council in the Masyaf countryside, was documented on March 31, 2026, following a raid on his home by a security entity.
According to available information, the arrest was carried out without the presentation of an official warrant or the provision of clear legal grounds, indicating a potential violation of due process standards. Dr. Manaf Muhammad serves as a dentist in addition to his administrative post.
These incidents reflect a recurring pattern of violations, including torture leading to death, extrajudicial killing, armed assaults on civilians, and arbitrary detention without legal justification. These cases underscore the urgent need for independent and transparent investigations to ensure accountability and the protection of civilian rights.
