Syrian detainees held in Lebanon’s Roumieh prison issued a statement this week rejecting any rhetoric that threatens Lebanon’s civil peace, warning that such discourse does not serve their “just and moral cause.” The message, shared with Al-Akhbariya, emphasized that their struggle should not be used as leverage in political propaganda.
The detainees voiced concern after videos and statements circulated online calling for violent action under the pretext of resolving their cases. Rumors of planned kidnappings and attacks also surfaced, which the detainees dismissed as fabrications meant to distort their movement.
“All our activities are peaceful,” the statement read, citing sit-ins, media work, and meetings with Lebanese and Syrian officials as the only means of advocacy. The detainees urged journalists to rely on official communications from the Committee of the Families of Prisoners in Lebanon to avoid amplifying disinformation.
Deaths Highlight Dire Conditions
The statement comes as conditions inside Roumieh prison again drew public attention following the death of a Syrian detainee on August 14. A private source told Al-Akhbariya that the man, identified by initials “A.C.”, was from Qusayr in Homs countryside. He was arrested five years ago by Lebanese security forces and accused of participating in the Syrian revolution.
Initially held in Building B, his health declined after developing severe neurological problems. He was later transferred to Roumieh’s “precautionary” Blue House for treatment but died after his condition worsened.
The case follows another tragedy on July 4, when a Syrian detainee from Homs ended his life by hanging. The prisoner had long suffered from untreated psoriasis, and according to the same source, the prison administration refused to provide medical care. His deteriorating health contributed to his suicide.
Diplomatic Pressure to Resolve the File
The mounting deaths have intensified calls to resolve the status of Syrian detainees in Lebanon. On May 19, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Beirut, urging the government to accelerate efforts.
“The Syrians and Syrian women will always remain at the top of our list of priorities,” Shaibani said, while acknowledging lingering effects from years of conflict. He stressed that Damascus remains committed to ending what he described as the suffering of detainees.
Roumieh Prison Under Scrutiny
Roumieh prison, located northeast of Beirut, is Lebanon’s largest detention facility and one of the most overcrowded. Hundreds of Syrians are held there, many on charges related to their political positions against the former Assad regime or for entering Lebanon “without legal documents.”
Rights groups have repeatedly criticized conditions inside Roumieh, citing inadequate medical care, poor sanitation, and prolonged detention without trial. The recent deaths have renewed attention on the plight of Syrians behind its walls, where detainees say their fight is for justice—not political gain.
