Syria: Death under torture of Syrian social media activist Aladdin Al Doori

05 Jun 2012

Aladdin Al Doori, a Syrian social media activist, was shot and arrested by soldiers at a military barrier close to Bab Al Taqa near Qalaat Al Madiq on 14 April 2012. His family was not provided with any information about his state of health or his whereabouts for the two days following his arrest. They later learnt that he had died under torture and had to undertake large efforts to receive his body, which they were refused at first.

In the evening of 14 April 2012, Mr Al Doori passed the military barrier close to the village of Bab Al Taqa near Qalaat Al Madiq, together with a fellow activist. The soldiers present at the checkpoint opened fire and Mr Al Doori was hit by a bullet and severely injured. After being shot, Mr Al Doori was arrested and taken to an unknown place.

Following this incident, the family had no news of him for two days. It was only in the morning of 16 April that the family received information about Mr Al Doori's decease. Reportedly, he had been subjected to severe torture, which, together with the gunshot wound, caused his death. Family members and relatives then formed a delegation and went to Suqaylabiyah national hospital, demanding access to the body. However, their demand was rejected by the authorities that day.

On 17 April, the family was finally allowed to take Mr Al Doori's corpse with them. His body was covered with traces indicating severe torture, which can be seen in these videos:

Alkarama today informed several Special Procedures of the United Nations about Mr Al Doori's extrajudicial execution. We call on the Syrian authorities to carry out prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigations be carried out in view of holding those responsible for Mr Al Doori's death to account and ensure that the family receive adequate compensation.

Syria