A citizen was killed inside the Transport Directorate building in Aleppo in an incident that has sparked widespread controversy due to conflicting accounts between official authorities and the testimony of his relatives. Preliminary data indicates he was subjected to beating inside the Directorate, while authorities deny this, attributing the cause of death to a heart attack.
Local sources in the Aleppo Governorate reported the death of citizen Yahya Nanaa inside the Transport Directorate building in Aleppo City following an incident that occurred while he was processing paperwork at the Directorate, amid accusations that he was subjected to physical assault by employees.
According to available information, a dispute broke out between the victim and a number of workers at the Directorate regarding the impoundment of the vehicle he was operating during a periodic inspection. The dispute escalated after it was discovered that a sum of money was missing from inside the vehicle, leading to increased tension between the two parties.
According to local accounts, the citizen was detained inside the Directorate building and taken to a holding cell belonging to the department, where he was subjected to beating by several employees. This led to the deterioration of his health and his subsequent death.
In contrast, the Internal Security Forces, in coordination with the Aleppo Transport Directorate, announced the arrest of two employees in connection with the incident, noting that preliminary information indicates an altercation occurred with a visitor and that the death resulted from a sudden “heart attack.” They clarified that the man was transported to Al-Razi Hospital, where he arrived deceased, and confirmed that an official investigation has been launched, the results of which will be referred to the competent judiciary.
The forensic doctor also issued a report stating that the death resulted from a heart attack following an altercation, noting the absence of signs of violence on the body of the deceased.
Conversely, the victim’s family provided a different account. The son of the deceased stated to local media that both he and his father were subjected to severe beating inside the Directorate, adding that he was not permitted to provide first aid to his father for more than fifteen minutes after he collapsed. He emphasized that the incident occurred while they were demanding a sum of money that was inside the impounded vehicle; the Directorate employees denied the existence of the money and detained his father as a result.
The family stressed that the death was not the result of an accident or a medical condition, but rather the result of a direct assault, demanding a full disclosure of the circumstances of the incident and that all those responsible be held accountable.
This incident reflects serious indicators of a potential gross human rights violation, manifested in being subjected to beating during detention and the denial of immediate medical care to the victim. Given the clear contradiction between the official narrative and the family’s testimony, an independent and transparent investigation is required to ensure accountability and prevent impunity.
