Reports | 14 04 2026
Shleh’s story is not an isolated case. It exposes a deadly void confronting thousands of former detainees in Syria: they survived prison, only to be left without psychological, medical, or social support—facing consequences no less harsh than those they endured behind bars.
The incident reveals a dangerous gap in how former detainees are handled after their release, many of whom emerged from detention in chaotic circumstances and without any clear support mechanisms.
On the morning of December 8, 2024, the gates of prisons and detention centers—including Sednaya—were suddenly opened to release detainees. That day, children, women, and men walked free.
But those prisoners emerged in shock, with no care or authority to address their medical or psychological needs. Amid the chaos, the identities of many remained unknown. Changes in their physical appearance and diminished cognitive abilities made recognition even more difficult. Families wandered through streets, neighborhoods, and prison gates, searching for sons or daughters who might still be alive.
Estimates by the Syrian Network for Human Rights suggest that around 24,200 people were released from Assad regime prisons and detention centers following its fall. The group noted that its database had documented 136,614 detainees and forcibly disappeared persons held by the regime as of August 2024.
Among the limited initiatives, an emergency support program launched by the International Committee of the Red Cross has assisted more than 500 former detainees over seven months.
This assistance has ranged from medical and psychological care to social support and family reunification. The program helped 176 individuals access critical medical treatment, while 140 received psychological support from specialists.
Malnutrition
From a medical standpoint, the situation is even more complex. Dr. Ghadeer Barhoum told Rozana that the response should have begun in the very first days after release.
“Most of them suffer from chronic malnutrition, sometimes acute on top of long-term deprivation due to insufficient and poor-quality food,” he said. “Eating normal food immediately after release can expose them to serious medical risks, potentially leading to death.”
He warned in particular about the dangers of refeeding. Individuals emerging from prolonged starvation may not tolerate rapid nutritional intake, leaving them vulnerable to severe complications—most notably refeeding syndrome.
Refeeding syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when food is reintroduced too quickly after a period of starvation, according to the National Health Service, and requires careful medical supervision.
Ongoing care
Barhoum added that the distressing images of young men emerging from prisons with memory loss and vacant stares—unable to recall their names or addresses—are not solely the result of direct torture, but also of severe health factors.
“Poor nutrition and insufficient food often lead to vitamin deficiencies,” he said. “A lack of vitamin B12 can cause anemia, neurological disorders, and cognitive impairment, while a deficiency in vitamin B1 can lead to encephalopathy (Wernicke’s).” He noted that vitamin B12 is found primarily in animal products—rarely provided in prisons.
Psychological disorders
Psychologically, the effects span a wide spectrum: post-traumatic stress disorder, recurring panic attacks, depression marked by loss of pleasure and social withdrawal, and dissociative disorders, including feelings of detachment and altered sense of self and trust. These conditions are particularly common after prolonged and repeated exposure to torture.
A report by The Lancet, titled “After release, another struggle: Syria's ex-detainees,” highlighted the suffering of former detainees and the harsh reality they face outside prison. Many return to destroyed or heavily damaged neighborhoods, confront financial hardship, and struggle to find work.
Former detainees also return to families and communities with high expectations. Families who waited years for their sons or husbands often expect them to resume their roles as providers, despite many being physically and psychologically unable to do so.
Barhoum stressed the importance of family and community care. Trauma affects entire households, he said, and can trigger “secondary trauma” among family members. Relationship problems, withdrawal, and loss of hope may emerge. Former detainees need family education, support for relatives, peer support groups, and survivor networks to help break isolation and gradually rebuild trust.
Survivors try to fill the gap
In a report published last June, Amnesty International said survivors of Assad’s prisons continue to suffer severe physical and psychological consequences amid an almost complete absence of medical, psychological, and social support.
The report found that many survivors struggle with chronic illnesses and serious complications, including tuberculosis, as well as neurological, joint, eye, and dental problems—alongside symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder. Access to treatment remains extremely limited due to the collapse of the healthcare system and lack of funding.
While some survivors attempt to support one another, the scarcity of comprehensive assistance programs leaves thousands of former detainees facing an uncertain future without meaningful support.
For Mohammad Ali Shleh, surviving prison was not the end of suffering—it was the beginning.