Published TUESDAY, December 31, 2024: 'THE DISAPPEARED: Syria's Sad Search' Pictures by 4 time Pulitzer Prize winning ZUMA Press photographer Carol Guzy: Desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed hospital morgue among bodies of prisoners recovered from the notorious Sednaya prison and other military intelligence branch jails that showed signs of torture and malnutrition during a brutal regime in Damascus Syria in December 2024. A whirlwind rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now most families will be denied the closure of a proper burial. They go from prison to prison, and hospital morgues, wishing for even just bones to bury. 'Even we accept the skeletons,' say the mothers. Welcome to: 'THE DISAPPEARED: Syria's Sad Search'
© zReportage.com Issue #974 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY, December 31, 2024: 'THE DISAPPEARED: Syria's Sad Search' Pictures by 4 time Pulitzer Prize winning ZUMA Press photographer Carol Guzy: Desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed hospital morgue among bodies of prisoners recovered from the notorious Sednaya prison and other military intelligence branch jails that showed signs of torture and malnutrition during a brutal regime in Damascus Syria in December 2024. A whirlwind rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now most families will be denied the closure of a proper burial. They go from prison to prison, and hospital morgues, wishing for even just bones to bury. 'Even we accept the skeletons,' say the mothers. Welcome to: 'THE DISAPPEARED: Syria's Sad Search'
Desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition during the brutal Assad regime in Damascus. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now most loved ones will be denied the peace and closure of a proper burial.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Razor wire surrounds the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Syria. A whirlwind rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now most families will be denied the closure of a proper burial. They go from prison to prison, and hospital morgues, wishing for even just bones to bury.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Faten Masalmeh from Daraa searches for clues about her brother Tareq Masalmeh, missing since 2013, at the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during the brutal Assad regime in Damascus. She believed prisoners communicated via water pipes when soldiers cut off water at night and she listens now at each cell for any sound. She said they used standard Arabic to avoid being recognized by their dialects.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Families wait at the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. Some spent days there as rescue groups seeking signs of life dug holes looking for secret rooms that ultimately were not found.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Family members look for clues at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Family members search for clues about their loved ones at the Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Family members search for clues about their loved ones at the Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
'My heart is burning,' wept Warda Alkhodor from Aleppo who has two missing sons as desperate family members search for their information about their disappeared loved ones at the notorious Sednaya in Damascus. She holds a flashlight as men feverishly dig, hoping to find secret rooms underground. 'Don't tell me he's not here,' she wept. 'There are no more youth in Syria' she stated. 'They took them all.' Countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture and death during the brutal Assad regime.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
'My heart is burning' wept Warda Alkhodor from Aleppo who has two missing sons as desperate family members search for their information about their disappeared loved ones at the notorious Sednaya in Damascus. 'Don't tell me he's not here' she wept. 'There are no more youth in Syria' she stated. 'They took them all.'
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
'My heart is burning' wept Warda Alkhodor from Aleppo as she shows pictures of her two missing sons as desperate family members search for their information about their disappeared loved ones at the notorious Sednaya in Damascus. 'There are no more youth in Syria' she stated.'hey took them all.'
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
People walk past a wall where it is said prisoners were hanged at the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A rope is left on a wall where it is said prisoners were hanged at the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates more than 100,000 people died in Syrian prisons and now desperate family members search for their loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A woman could not stop crying as desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Saydnaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Families wait as they look for clues about their loved ones at the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A defaced portrait of President Bashar al-Assad at the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 which was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Faten Masalmeh from Daraa searches for clues about her brother Tareq Masalmeh, missing since 2013, at the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during the brutal Assad regime in Damascus. She believed prisoners communicated via water pipes when soldiers cut off water at night and she listens now at each cell for any sound. She said they used standard Arabic to avoid being recognized by their dialects.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
FATEN MASALMEH from Daraa searches for clues about her brother Tareq Masalmeh, missing since 2013, at the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during the brutal Assad regime in Damascus. She believed prisoners communicated via water pipes when soldiers cut off water at night and she listens now at each cell for any sound. She said they used standard Arabic to avoid being recognized by their dialects. She said a sniper shot her husband at their home and he bled to death. The Syrian army kept shooting at the house from all direction to prevent anyone from taking him to hospital.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
AFAD, the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority searched the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
AFAD, the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority searched the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus. They use equipment to listen for signs of life in rumored underground secret rooms, but found nothing.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
People climb through holes made at the notorious Sednaya prison where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture during a brutal regime in Damascus Syria.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A rebel soldier from Idlib guards the Syrian Military Intelligence Palestine Branch 235 that was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared in Damascus. Looting had been an issue after the liberation and fall of the Assad regime.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A toppled statue of Hafez al-Assad at he Syrian Military Intelligence Branch 215 was a jail for political prisoners during a brutal regime where countless men disappeared amid accounts of torture in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones comparing pictures on a wall at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A hospital worker climbs over bodies as desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Desperate family members walk over decomposing bodies as they search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Desperate family members walk among decomposing bodies as they search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
'My heart is burning' wept Warda Alkhodor from Aleppo who has two missing sons as her daughter Mariam and other desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Desperate family members compare photos with images of corpses as they search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Desperate family members compare photos with image of corpses as they search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A family from Aleppo insists one of the last remaining bodies is their cousin but morgue workers tell them a doctor does not believe it is their loved one since he has different identifying marks at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
NOUR AL-AHMAD weeps as desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus. Her brother was arrested in Mazzeh in 2013 and it is still unknown whether he is dead or alive.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Members of the White Helmets load unclaimed bodies of prisoners recovered from Sednaya prison for burial at an undisclosed location at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Members of the White Helmets load unclaimed bodies of prisoners recovered from Sednaya prison for burial at an undisclosed location at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
EMAN HBEISH weeps as desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus. She lost her only brother Abdulraouf Hbeish in 2018 and an eye in a barrel attack. Had 17 siblings and said, 'During the war we became one soul.'.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Monzer, a former prisoner, said he was tortured and showed scars as desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Monzer, a former prisoner, said he was tortured and showed scars as desperate family members search for their disappeared loved ones at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies recovered from Sednaya prison that showed signs of torture and malnutrition in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
People put posters of loved ones who disappeared in prisons that they are desperately searching for at Marjeh Square in Damascus. Photos are fading along with hopes of finding them alive or at least the closure of a proper burial.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Posters of loved ones who disappeared in prisons are fading with the hopes of families desperately searching at Marjeh Square in Damascus. Photos are fading along with hopes of finding them alive or at least the closure of a proper burial.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
People put posters of loved ones who disappeared in prisons that they are desperately searching for onto a wall at Marjeh Square in Damascus. Photos are fading along with hopes of finding them alive or at least the closure of a proper burial.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Syrians with guns at their sides perform Friday prayers at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad giving them freedom from a brutal regime.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Syrians take part in a Day of Mourning for lost loved ones after the end of a brutal regime at Umayyad Mosque in Damascus Syria. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad, freeing them from a brutal regime but the sorrow of the futile search for missing prisoners is a cloud over many as celebrations of liberation continue in the streets.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Artist Ali Nayiouf created a mural with images of children and women and died in prisons as Syrians take part in a Day of Mourning for lost loved ones after the end of a brutal regime at Umayyad Square in Damascus. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad, freeing them from a brutal regime but the sorrow of the futile search for missing prisoners is a cloud over many as celebrations of liberation continue in the streets.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
FARAH ARABI KATBI holds a sign with photos of her friends as Syrians take part in a Day of Mourning for lost loved ones after the end of a brutal regime at Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. A rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted President Bashar al-Assad, freeing them from a brutal regime but the sorrow of the futile search for missing prisoners is a cloud over many as celebrations of liberation continue in the streets.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
KHALID and his brother MOHAMED SHWAIB hold photo of their brother Sami who they buried recently after finding him at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among the prisoners bodies that were recovered from Sednaya, at their home in Damascus. They at least feel some peace knowing there was a proper burial, the closure that will be denied to so very many other desperate families.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
WALEED SHWAIB, 70 years old, weeps pitifully for the son Sami that he buried recently after finding him at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies that were recovered from prisons after the fall of Assad, at his home in Damascus. 'I just can't believe he died' he says. 'I see him in my dreams. Sometimes he calls for me, calls my name.'
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
WALEED SHWAIB, 70 years old, weeps pitifully for the son Sami that he buried recently after finding him at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among bodies that were recovered from prisons after the fall of Assad, at his home in Damascus. 'I just can't believe he died' he says. 'I see him in my dreams. Sometimes he calls for me, calls my name' He is beloved. May God have mercy on him.' He is disabled and living amid the debris of war with assistance from is other two sons. He was not able to attend the funeral but at least feels some peace knowing there was a proper burial, the closure that will be denied to so very many other desperate families. They never knew where he was detained until they saw Branch 227 written on his body bag. He had paid a lot of money but was never allowed visitation. He had a heart attack when he heard his son was dead.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
KHALID SHWAIB prays every day over the grave of his brother Sami who they buried recently after finding him at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among the prisoners bodies that were recovered from Sednaya, at the cemetery near his home in Damascus. The family feels some peace knowing there was a proper burial, the closure that will be denied to so very many other desperate families.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
HASSAN ALMOGHRABI talks about his son Muhammad at the rooftop of his home where he blew himself up with a grenade as he was being pursued by Assad security forces who then took his body and arrested Hassan, at his home in Damascus. He buried him recently after finding him at the Moujtahed Hospital morgue among the prisoners bodies that were recovered from Sednaya Prison after the fall of Assad.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
13 year old MOHANNAD MOHANNAD SULAIMAN holds a portrait of the father he never met Mohannad Rasem Sulaiman at a neighbor's home in Damascus. 'I would like to see him. Hug him' he says. His father was injured by shelling and his mother Fatima Abdulrazaq Darkazalli, pregnant at the time, drove him to the hospital and put makeup on his face so at the checkpoint they didn't see he was sick. He died 2 hours before she delivered the baby. 'He was in my womb' she said.'He never saw his son.' When her sister told him she was in labor, tears fell from his face but he soon passed away. She says her son looks so much like his father. 'Most of the children were born in crisis,' she explains they need support in Syria for emotional trauma counseling. 'Before, hope was lost' But now if my boy goes somewhere at least I know he will come back home.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
THAER AL A TRASH prays everyday at the gravesite of his father Adnan Al a Trash at his village of Kanaker. The family found his body at Moujtahed Hospital morgue earlier this month amid other prisoner bodies that were found after the fall of Assad. They said approximately 500 people have gone missing from their village during the brutal regime.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
MAIDA AL HENAWI and HYTHAM SHAMDEEN AGHA, parents of Mouhamed Majed, talk about the loss of their son who was a prisoner at their home before a memorial service is held in his honor in Damascus. She kisses Shereen Nasser Al Deen, the wife.of her son. He was arrested when they were on a date in 2014. His mother held onto hope they would find him alive and say they cannot find peace or closure without being able to give his body a proper burial. He was employed in the university of Damascus (sharia of Islamic studies) and he was arrested and dragged from his home at the beginning of 2013 at last placed at Sednaya prison. His parents tried to visit but can't even after they gave a lot of money. His wife sold her gold bracelet but they never saw him again.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The children of Ali Waban, a 34 year old prisoner whose body they found at Moujtahed Hospital morgue earlier this month at home in their village of Harran al‚'Awamid, Syria. He was first held at Mezzeh jail with his wife and 5 children. Abdullah Waban 11, right front, talks about being held in prison. His siblings: Moumad 2, Kassem 7 (yellow), Ali blue and Maier 5 (front left). This family at least has the peace and closure of a proper burial which countless others will not have.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Pictures of Adnan Al a Trash, a prisoner before and after his body was found by family at Moujtahed Hospital morgue earlier this month. They are shown by family at home in their village of Kanaker, Syria. This family at least has the peace and closure of a proper burial which countless others will be denied.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Cousins of Ali Waban, a 34 year old prisoner whose body was found by family at Moujtahed Hospital morgue earlier this month visit the cemetery where he was buried in their village of Harran al'Awamid, Syria. He was first held at Mezzeh jail with his wife and 5 children who he leaves behind. This family at least has the peace and closure of a proper burial which countless others will be denied.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
101 names. A memorial service is held at Aldemashqiah Funeral Home for 101 prisoners from one neighborhood that families learned had died at the notorious Sednaya and other prisons in Damascus under the Assad regime.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A memorial service is held at Aldemashqiah Funeral Home for 13 prisoners that families learned had died at the notorious Sednaya prison in Damascus. They said a worker at Sednaya took photos of all the prisoners who perished, and they believe he was caught and executed. After the fall of the Assad regime, the photos were published on Facebook and it is how many learned of the death of their loved ones. Mourner Saied Mardini, father of martyr Khalid Mardini remarked, 'Some people say that Hitler is the worst person that ever lived. Bashar al-Assad is far more evil than Hitler himself, he's the source of all of the evil in the world, he never stopped committing crimes, seems like didn't matter to him.'
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Ushers serve tea at a memorial service is held at Aldemashqiah Funeral Home for 101 prisoners from one neighborhood that families learned had died at Sednaya and other prisons in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Hytham Shamdeen Agha, father of Mouhamed Majed, who was a prisoner, is greeted at a memorial service held in his honor in Damascus. His mother held onto hope they would find him alive and say they cannot find peace or closure without being able to give his body a proper burial. He was employed in the university of Damascus and was arrested and dragged from his home at the beginning of 2013 at last placed at Sednaya prison. His parents tried to visit but can't even after they gave a lot of money. His wife sold her gold bracelet but they never saw him again.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A memorial service is held at Aldemashqiah Funeral Home for 101 prisoners from one neighborhood that families learned had died at Sednaya and other prisons in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Hytham Shamdeen Agha, father of Mouhamed Majed, who was a prisoner, is greeted at a memorial service held in his honor in Damascus. His mother held onto hope they would find him alive and say they cannot find peace or closure without being able to give his body a proper burial. He was employed in the university of Damascus and he was arrested and dragged from his home at the beginning of 2013, at last placed at Sednaya prison. His parents tried to visit but can't even after they gave a lot of money. His wife sold her gold bracelet but they never saw him again.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
An usher serves tea at a memorial service held at Aldemashqiah Funeral Home for 101 prisoners from one neighborhood that families learned had died at the notorious Sednaya prison and other branch jails in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
An usher serves tea at a memorial service held at Aldemashqiah Funeral Home for 101 prisoners from one neighborhood that families learned had died at the notorious Sednaya prison and other branch jails in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A memorial service is held at Aldemashqiah Funeral Home for 13 prisoners that families learned had died at the notorious Sednaya prison in Damascus. They said a worker at Sednaya took photos of all the prisoners who perished, and they believe he was later caught and executed. After the fall of the Assad regime, the photos were published on Facebook and it is how many learned of the death of their loved ones. Mourner Saied Mardini said, 'Some people say that Hitler is the worst person that ever lived' Basshar Alassad is far more evil than Hitler himself, he's the source of all of the evil in the world' He never stopped committing crimes.'
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A memorial service is held at Aldemashqiah Funeral Home for 13 prisoners that families learned had died at the notorious Sednaya prison in Damascus. They said a worker at Sednaya took photos of all the prisoners who perished, and they believe he was later caught and executed. After the fall of the Assad regime, the photos were published on Facebook and it is how many learned of the death of their loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Prayers during a memorial service is held at Aldemashqiah Funeral Home for 101 prisoners from one neighborhood that families learned had died at the notorious Sednaya prison and other branch jails in Damascus.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
A mourner collapses in grief as a memorial service is held at Aldemashqiah Funeral Home for 13 prisoners that families learned had died at the notorious Sednaya prison in Damascus. They said a worker at Sednaya took photos of all the prisoners who perished, and they believe he was later caught and executed. After the fall of the Assad regime, the photos were published on Facebook and it is how many learned of the death of their loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Friends and family attend a memorial service held for Mouhamed Majed who was a prisoner in Damascus under the Assad regime. His mother held onto hope they would find him alive and say they cannot find peace or closure without being able to give his body a proper burial. He was employed in the university of Damascus and was arrested and dragged from his home at the beginning of 2013, at last placed at Sednaya prison. His parents tried to visit but can't even after they gave a lot of money. His wife sold her gold bracelet but they never saw him again.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
SAMIRA UTHMAN KAKA is embraced as she weeps holding a photo of her son Bassam Alrefaiy during a wake at Aldemashqiah Funeral Home for 13 prisoners that families learned had died at the notorious Sednaya prison in Damascus. He was missing since 2013 when he was 22 years old and they haven't seen him since he was arrested while peacefully protesting. They said a worker at Sednaya took photos of all the prisoners who perished, and they believe he was later caught and executed. After the fall of the Assad regime, the photos were published on Facebook and it is how she found him.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Samira Uthman Kaka who lost her son Bassam Alrefaiy leaves a memorial service at Aldemashqiah Funeral Home for 13 prisoners that families learned had died at the notorious Sednaya prison in Damascus. They said a worker took photos of all the prisoners who perished, and they believe he was later caught and executed. After the fall of the Assad regime, the photos were published on Facebook and it is how many learned of the death of their loved ones.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
The home of Samira Uthman Kaka who lost her son Bassam Alrefaiy, a prisoner who died at the notorious Sednaya prison and whose body they never found in Damascus. Samira doesn't feel peace because she didn't find him. 'Where is his body? Where is his body?' she pleads. All she has left is a photo.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
4-year-old LIA RAWAS kisses the image of her uncle Bassam Alrefaiy and constantly asks when he is coming home. She is the granddaughter of Samira Uthman Kaka, Bassam’s mother, who talks about the prisoner they lost, at their home in Damascus. Lia also lost her own father to the war. The family learned had died at the notorious Sednaya prison. He was missing since February 2013 at 22 years old and they haven't seen him since he was arrested while peacefully protesting. They said a worker at Sednaya took photos of all the prisoners who perished, and they believe he was caught and executed. After the fall of the Assad regime, the photos were published on Facebook and it is how they learned of his death.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Bassam AtAllah Alrefaiy and Samira Uthman Kaka say prayers for Syria and their son Ahmad Bassam Alrefaiy who was a prisoner they lost, at their home in Damascus. Samira doesn’t feel peace because she didn’t find him. ‘Where is his body? Where is his body?’ she pleads. All she has left is this photo. ‘I remember his teeth, like pearls. Now no teeth are showing in the photo.’ On right is 13 year old Muhannad Solaiman whose father died from injuries in a shelling two hours before he was born. ‘I would like to see him. Hug him,’ he says. The family learned Bassam had died at the notorious Sednaya prison. He was missing since February 2013 at 22 years old and they haven’t seen him since he was arrested while peacefully protesting. They said a worker at Sednaya took photos of all the prisoners who perished, and they believe he was caught and executed. After the fall of the Assad regime, the photos were published on Facebook and it is how they learned of his death.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
Samira Uthman Kaka is embraced by family as she holds a photo of her son Ahmad Bassam Alrefaiy who was a prisoner, at their home in Damascus. Her 4-year-old granddaughter Lia Rawas kisses his image and constantly asks when her uncle is coming home. She says the only words she knows in English 'I love you.' On left is her husband Bassam AtAllah Alrefaiy. Right is her daughter Huda Bassam Alrefaiy. Samira doesn't feel peace because she didn't find him. 'Where is his body ? Where is his body ?' she pleads. All she has left is this photo. 'I remember his teeth, like pearls. Now no teeth are showing in the photo.' They learned he had died at the notorious Sednaya prison. Missing since 2013 at 22 years old and they haven't seen him since he was arrested while peacefully protesting. A worker at Sednaya took photos of all the prisoners who perished, and they believe he was caught and executed. After the fall of the Assad regime, the photos were published on Facebook and it is how they learned of his death.
© Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press Wire
