Mr. Fouad Suleiman Khaddour, a member of the Alawite sect, was killed on April 7, 2026, inside a detention center in the city of Homs. This occurred after nearly a year of arbitrary detention without any official charges being brought against him. This incident falls within a escalating context of gross human rights violations targeting civilians based on various backgrounds, including sectarian affiliation.
According to documented information, Fouad Suleiman Khaddour—a civilian employed as a driver at Homs University—was killed inside al-Balouna Prison in Homs on April 7, 2026. He had been arrested on May 28, 2025, during a security campaign targeting the village of Hosh al-Asas in the northeastern countryside of Homs Governorate.
Mr. Khaddour was detained alongside several young men, including five members of his family, namely:
Alaa Khaddour
Jaafar Khaddour
Youssef Khaddour
Issa Khaddour
Mohammed Khaddour
All of the aforementioned individuals are civilians and have not been released since the date of their arrest. No legal charges have been filed against them, indicating they have been subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention.
The arrest campaign was accompanied by additional violations; reliable sources reported that General Security personnel looted private property from the family’s homes, including private vehicles. Furthermore, markers were placed on their houses, signaling an intent to seize or confiscate the property. Family members were also subjected to direct threats during the operation.
Fouad Khaddour’s next of kin were notified of his death without being provided any clear details regarding the circumstances of the incident or the cause of death. They were instructed to report to the University Hospital in Homs to claim his body. This occurred amidst a complete lack of transparency, depriving the family of their right to the truth or the opportunity for an independent investigation.
This incident follows a similar occurrence just days prior, where Fater Ratib Hamdan, hailing from the village of al-Hadatha in the Homs countryside, died on April 1, 2026. He succumbed to injuries resulting from torture sustained during a detention period lasting approximately one year and two months; he died shortly after being released in critical medical condition. The victim was also a member of the Alawite sect.
These facts point to a significant escalation in patterns of gross human rights violations in Syria, including extrajudicial killing, arbitrary detention, and torture within detention centers. Furthermore, these include violations linked to religious and sectarian backgrounds, occurring in a climate of total absence of accountability and continued impunity.
