Syria interrogates former commander of the 17th Division on charges of murder and torture after his transfer from Lebanon

Former Syrian regime army Major General Adel Muhammad Issa, the former commander of the 17th Division and head of the security committee in Deir ez-Zor, appeared before the referral judge specializing in transitional justice, Counselor Abdul Razzaq Al-Hussein, for questioning and to complete investigation procedures, following his handover by Lebanese authorities.

The Syrian Ministry of Justice stated that the case concerns events and the storming of Deir ez-Zor, and also includes Brigadier General Daas Hassan Ali, the former head of the State Security Branch in the province.

Issa’s appearance before the referral judge followed the referral of the case file by the investigation department. He faces charges of intentional homicide, premeditated murder, and torture leading to death, along with other crimes listed in the case file.

Breaking News

Time Management and Calendar Applications

Subscription to Digital and Print Newspapers

The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday evening that it had received Issa from Lebanese authorities, following his arrest in Lebanon under an arrest warrant issued by the Court of Cassation Prosecutor General.

The ministry clarified that Issa previously served as commander of the 17th Division and commander of ground forces in Deir ez-Zor until 2016, noting that his retrieval was carried out in coordination with Lebanese authorities and at the request of the Prosecutor General of the Republic, based on an in absentia arrest warrant issued against him by the Seventh Investigating Judge.

According to the Syrian Ministry of Interior, the charges against him include intentional homicide, facilitating a felony, premeditated murder of more than two persons, and torture leading to death, in addition to crimes of aggression aimed at inciting civil war and sectarian conflict.

The ministry indicated that the case is being heard before the Fourth Referral Judge in Damascus, paving the way for a decision on referring Issa to the Court of Assizes.

Issa’s appearance before the judiciary is part of judicial procedures related to violations and crimes attributed to former officials in the army and security apparatus during the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.