Attorney Qataf Al-Sheikha was subjected to serious violations during her detention, including physical torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, resulting in severe bleeding that necessitated her transfer to hospital on multiple occasions, according to testimonies from her family and confirmation by a representative of the Bar Association. These violations have occurred in the context of her continued detention since 8 December 2025 without being referred to the competent judicial authority.
The family of attorney Qataf Al-Sheikha reported that their daughter was subjected to harsh interrogations at her place of detention, involving severe beatings, methods of physical torture, “shabeh” (suspension for prolonged periods), as well as solitary confinement. The family confirmed that these practices caused acute bleeding, requiring her evacuation to hospital more than once during the period of detention.
A representative of the Bar Association who visited her confirmed that she had been subjected to these violations, including the resulting deterioration of her health condition.
Relatives further stated that during visits they observed clear bruising on her face and hands, in addition to marks on her wrists and ankles consistent with having been restrained for long hours to a metal bed. She was also observed to be suffering from continuous tremors, impaired balance, and difficulty in coherent speech.
The family indicated that the recent cessation of torture appears—by their assessment—to be an attempt to conceal physical traces prior to presenting her before a court; however, her psychological and neurological conditions continue to reflect the extent of the suffering she endured.
Attorney Qataf Al-Sheikha was arrested on 8 December 2025 following a complaint filed by one of her clients before the Criminal Security Branch in the Harasta area of Damascus.
According to available information, she remains detained to date without referral to the competent judiciary, amid reports of a possible transfer of her case to Military Intelligence rather than the civilian judicial authority, raising serious concerns regarding the integrity of legal procedures and the guarantees of a fair trial.
The documented facts set out above constitute grave violations of human rights, including the absolute prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, the right to bodily integrity, and the right to be brought promptly before a competent judicial authority within a reasonable time. The attorney’s family and human rights advocates call for the immediate cessation of all violations, the provision of necessary medical care, her referral to the competent civilian judiciary, and the opening of an independent and transparent investigation into the allegations of torture, with accountability for those responsible.
