Syrians have demonstrated this week demanding justice for the passing of Mohammad Ghamira, a Syrian citizen who passed away in a hospital after reportedly experiencing mistreatment by security forces while in custody — less than two years following the establishment of the new government’s commitment to ending the prevalent arbitrary detentions and abuse that characterized the previous regime.
Ghamira’s family mentioned that they informed the authorities that the 29-year-old father of two was diagnosed with hemophilia, a rare genetic condition affecting blood clotting, leading to prolonged bleeding.
He was held in detention for three days before being released on August 9 and immediately taken to the hospital. He passed away a week later.
For the new Syrian government, Ghamira’s demise has become a crucial test to determine whether its assurances of accountability will result in concrete actions post the fall of Assad’s longstanding authoritarian rule, which governed the nation for over half a century.
Ghamira’s passing triggered a wave of peaceful demonstrations and protests throughout the nation this week, yet human rights organizations highlight that his case is just one among many instances of alleged mistreatment at detention facilities that have surfaced since the new government assumed power.
“The demise of Mohammad Ghamira highlights the exact concerns we have been recording since the transitional phase began: detention practices that are not yet regulated by a uniform, judiciary-monitored system,” Fadel Abdulghany, the executive director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), conveyed to CBC News.
“The success of Syria’s transition will be measured by whether accountability for cases like this becomes systematic, not selective.”
Family Alerts Authorities About Severe Medical Condition
Ghamira formerly volunteered with the White Helmets, also known as the Syria Civil Defence, established in 2013 and operated in opposition-held areas during the conflict. Following the former regime’s collapse in 2024, the group shifted its role to become part of the country’s official state emergency services.
The Latakia Internal Security Command revealed that Ghamira was detained due to an accusation of money theft, without disclosing further details.
During his detention, his family was denied access to visit or contact him and was informed that he was “under investigation,” as per SNHR.
His uncle, Issam Ghamira, informed the state news agency SANA that the family had informed the police chief in al-Haffah about his nephew’s hemophilia and cautioned against physical harm. Nevertheless, he reported that his nephew was subjected to physical violence while in custody.
Ghamira passed away at Latakia University Hospital on Sunday post his release from jail.