The Syrian government has
released a total of 62 women detainees as part of a three-way prisoner
exchange. Nine Lebanese Shia hostages held for 17 months by a rebel group in
northern Syria were exchanged on Saturday for two Turkish pilots held in
Lebanon since August. The release of scores of female detainees held in
government jails formed part of the deal arranged by Turkey, Qatar and Lebanon.
The deal has prompted a belief that many more deals between the Syrian
government and the opposition might be forthcoming. Most of the women were
released at the Masnaa crossing, near Lebanon. Many have since returned to
their homes in Syria. Tens of thousands of people are being detained by the
Syrian regime, many of them without trial, activists say. Rights groups say
torture and ill-treatment are systematic in Syria's jails.
No comments:
Post a Comment