Syrian rebels to name Assad officials wanted for torture as '40 bodies found' in hospital

 

• The main Islamist rebel leader in Syria says senior officials of the Assad regime who were involved in torturing political prisoners will be named

• Abu Mohammed al-Jolani says rewards will be offered for information about senior army and security officers involved in "war crimes"

• Meanwhile rescue workers say they have ended their search for possible detainees in secret cells or basements at Saydnaya military prison without finding anyone

• Specialised teams assisted by K9 dog units and individuals familiar with the layout had been combing the prison, as crowds gathered in the hope of finding their missing relatives

• In Damascus, rebel fighters reportedly say they've found more than 40 bodies in a hospital morgue showing signs of torture

• Israeli air strikes hit the city overnight, but life in the capital appears to be slowly returning to normal. Writer who served time in Saydnaya prison describes 'horrible place'

  published at 10:24

  10:24

  Image source,Getty Images

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  Returning to Damascus, our colleagues at the BBC World Service Newsday programme have spoken this morning to writer Jaber Baker, who was held in the Saydnaya prison more than 20 years ago.

  Baker, who now lives in France, explains that he was arrested as a student in 2002, and spent two years in Saydnaya, which he describes a "horrible place".

  The co-author of the book "Syrian Gulag: Inside Assad's Prison System" focuses on studying the country's prison system.

  Following the 2011 uprising against leader Bashar al-Assad, thousands of people were arrested and reported to have been tortured at the prison, according to human rights groups.

  Families of inmates and missing Syrians have gathered at the site in recent days, looking for clues about the fates of loved ones who may have been held there.

• The co-author of the book "Syrian Gulag: Inside Assad's Prison System" focuses on studying the country's prison system.

  Following the 2011 uprising against leader Bashar al-Assad, thousands of people were arrested and reported to have been tortured at the prison, according to human rights groups.

  Families of inmates and missing Syrians have gathered at the site in recent days, looking for clues about the fates of loved ones who may have been held there.

• THIS AND MORE UPDATES AT: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj90138ejrdt