The recent arrest of Aws Salloum, known as the “Angel of Death of Saydnaya,” has generated significant discussion on social media. Alongside a resurfaced video of the late Syrian activist Mazen Hamada, who had spoken about mistreatment in Syrian jails, images of Salloum in a military uniform and during his detention have circulated widely.
Details of Salloum’s capture
Activists shared a video showing Salloum’s arrest, which reportedly took place during a security operation in Homs targeting supporters of the Assad regime. Salloum, who worked for the Syrian government’s security services, became well-known for his harsh actions.
He was born in Al-Qabu, a town in rural Homs that supported the Assad administration. Salloum became notorious for his role in the mistreatment and deaths of prisoners. Survivors of Saydnaya Prison, often referred to as the “human slaughterhouse,” identified him as the officer known as “Azrael.”
Salloum’s notorious legacy
His aggressive behaviour and the fear he instilled in detainees made him one of the most feared figures in the prison.
In a previously shared video, activist Mazen Hamada recalled a troubling encounter with “Azrael.” Hamada described how Azrael, often intoxicated, would visit the prison hospital at night, pretending to offer medical assistance. Hamada remembered a fellow prisoner from Darayya advising others to avoid attracting the officer’s attention.
On one occasion, a prisoner from Ghouta volunteered for a task and was sentenced to death. After enduring mistreatment, Hamada’s body was found in a military hospital following the fall of the Assad regime.
The aftermath and ongoing questions
After the downfall of the Assad regime on December 8, opposition forces released many prisoners from government jails, revealing the extent of the mistreatment in these institutions. Saydnaya Prison, in particular, became infamous for its record of abuse. However, with mass graves being discovered throughout Syria, the fate of many missing detainees remains uncertain.
