The young Syrian man, Muhsin Tamr Afifa, was killed after his arrest by security forces affiliated with what is referred to as the “interim authority” in Syria (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham). For months, his family believed he was still alive and detained, as they continued to send supplies and money to him, until they later discovered that these aids were being seized by security elements, while their son had actually been killed in the first days of his arrest as a result of torture and buried in a mass grave.
Documentation Information
Victim: Muhsin Tamr Afifa.
Dates:
Date of Arrest: January 31, 2025.
Date Death was Discovered: October 6, 2025 (noting that the actual death occurred in the first few days following the arrest).
Locations:
Place of Arrest: Al-Fakhoura checkpoint in the city of Homs, Syria.
Place of Detention: Central Prison, then Al-Balouna Prison.
Place where the body was found: A mass grave in Tal Al-Nasr in the city of Homs, with his photo appearing at Al-Waar Hospital.
Victim’s Identity:
Geographical Origin: From the neighborhoods of Homs city (Karm al-Loz neighborhood).
Sectarian Affiliation: From the Alawite sect.
Perpetrating Entity:
Arresting and Detaining Entity: Security forces at the checkpoint or the “interim authority” (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham).
Entity Accused of the Killing: The security forces affiliated with the interim authority.
Allegations: Death due to torture, kidnapping, illegal detention, and financial extortion of the family.
