Lebanon has approved a judicial agreement with Syria to transfer hundreds of convicted Syrian detainees from Lebanese prisons to their home country, a step both governments say aims to close a sensitive file fueling tensions for years. Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri announced Friday, Jan. 30, that the Cabinet authorized the handover of over 300 Syrian prisoners, following a meeting at Baabda Palace chaired by President Joseph Aoun and attended by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Mitri told reporters the agreement allows Syrian detainees to complete their sentences in Syria and will be formally signed by the justice ministers of both countries. He said the Cabinet approved the draft “without amendment,” marking what officials described as a new phase of judicial cooperation between Beirut and Damascus.
Who Is Covered by the Agreement
According to Mitri, the deal applies to Syrian prisoners who have met specific legal conditions, including those who have spent over a decade in Lebanese custody, which he described as equivalent to about seven actual years served. A Lebanese judicial source told Syria TV that the first phase may involve about 260 prisoners, highlighting a discrepancy between official estimates that range from 260 to over 300 detainees.
The agreement excludes certain categories unless strict conditions are met. Crimes such as murder or rape are generally excluded, except in cases where the convicted person has already served at least 10 years in the issuing state, according to the draft text published by the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar on Jan. 29. The transfer also requires the explicit written consent of the prisoner or a legal representative.
Legal Framework and Safeguards
The agreement, which comes on the heels of a recently announced strike by Syrian detainees, outlines detailed procedures governing the transfer of “convicted persons.” It stipulates that sentences must be final and enforceable, that the offense be punishable under Syrian law and that both states approve each case. Either country retains the right to refuse a transfer if it considers it a threat to sovereignty, security or public order.
The Ministries of Justice in Beirut and Damascus will oversee implementation, with provisions for direct communication or diplomatic coordination. The agreement also bars transferred prisoners from reentering Lebanon without special written permission, even after completing their sentences, and affirms the principle that no individual may be tried twice for the same offense.
Pressure on Prisons and Broader Context
Lebanese authorities estimate that about 2,500 to 2,600 Syrians are held in Lebanese prisons, roughly one-third of the total inmate population. Rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about overcrowding and prolonged pretrial detention. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) estimates around 2,000 Syrians are held in Roumieh prison alone, including about 190 detained for participation in the Syrian revolution.
While no firm timetable has been announced, Lebanese sources said implementation could begin as early as February. Officials framed the move as an effort to ease prison overcrowding while adhering to judicial standards. Whether additional cases will follow depends on the outcome of ongoing legal reviews and coordination between the two governments.
