https://arab.news/9xdn4
- Former Assad regime relied on militarized criminal gangs to suppress civilian uprisings, alongside official forces and paramilitary groups
- The Maroufs are accused of serious offences against civilians in Homs under previous regime
LONDON: Syrian authorities announced the arrest of two prominent gang leaders in the northern region of Homs, who are accused of crimes against civilians during Bashar Assad’s regime.
The ministry of interior said on Wednesday that forces from the counter-terrorism branch and the directorate of internal security had captured Faisal Ahmed Marouf and his son, Ahmed Faisal Marouf, in the eastern province of Homs Governorate, in western Syria.
The former Assad regime, which fell in December last year, relied on militarized criminal gangs known as Shabiha to suppress civilian uprisings, alongside official forces and paramilitary groups, including the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The ministry said that the Maroufs are accused of involvement in grave violations against Syrian civilians in Homs during the rule of the bygone regime.
“Investigations revealed that the criminals held leadership positions in groups responsible for killings, armed robberies, and unlawful arrests against people in peaceful areas and Abu Hakfa during the rule of the defunct regime,” the ministry of interior announced on Telegram.
Last week, Syrian authorities arrested a former military official accused of executing detainees at Saydnaya prison during the former regime.
Since December, the new government in Damascus has arrested several suspects, including Assad-era army officers, for crimes committed against Syrians during the country’s civil conflict.