Syrian citizens demonstrated this week demanding justice for the death of Mohammad Ghamira, a Syrian man who passed away in a hospital following alleged mistreatment by security forces while in custody. This incident occurred less than two years after the new government pledged to put an end to the prevalent arbitrary detentions and abuse that characterized the previous regime’s rule.
Ghamira’s family informed the authorities that the 29-year-old father of two suffered from hemophilia, a genetic disorder that affects blood clotting and can result in prolonged bleeding. He was detained for three days before being released on August 9 and immediately hospitalized, passing away a week later.
Ghamira’s death serves as a test for Syria’s new government, assessing whether its commitment to accountability will be demonstrated following the downfall of the authoritarian Assad dynasty that controlled the country for over five decades.
His demise prompted peaceful demonstrations and sit-ins across the nation this week, yet human rights organizations highlight his case as just one among many reports of alleged abuses in detention centers since the new administration assumed power.
Fadel Abdulghany, the executive director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), emphasized the need for a unified, judicially supervised system to govern detention practices in Syria’s transition period.
“The passing of Mohammad Ghamira highlights the concerns we have been recording since the beginning of the transition: the lack of a standardized, judicially monitored process for detentions,” stated Abdulghany.
“The success of Syria’s transition hinges on whether accountability for incidents like this becomes systematic rather than selective.”
Family Notified Authorities of Severe Health Condition
Ghamira had previously served as a voluntary member of the White Helmets, a rescue group that later became part of Syria’s official emergency services following the regime’s collapse in 2024.
The Latakia Internal Security Command stated that Ghamira was detained on suspicion of theft without providing additional details.
During his detention, Ghamira’s family was not allowed to visit or communicate with him, only being informed that he was “under investigation,” as per the SNHR.
His uncle, Issam Ghamira, revealed to state news agency SANA that the family had alerted the police chief in al-Haffah about his nephew’s hemophilia, advising against any physical harm. Nevertheless, Ghamira was reportedly subjected to physical abuse while in custody.
Ghamira passed away at Latakia University Hospital on Sunday after his release from jail.