Sovereign Front for Lebanon activists demand justice for Lebanese detainees of Syrian regime

BEIRUT — Following the collapse of the oppressive Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad and the release of tens of thousands of detainees from Syrian prisons — including Lebanese nationals — Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) facilitated a turning point in the region. In response, the Sovereign Front for Lebanon and the Detainees’ Association held a press conference to outline necessary steps for addressing the issue of Lebanese detainees in Syria.

In his opening remarks, Camille Chamoun, head of the National Liberal Party, lauded the Syrian revolution as a model for dismantling authoritarian regimes. He called for bold action in Lebanon to expel Syrian regime influences, dismantle networks that cooperated with the Syrian regime, and prosecute Bashar al-Assad and his associates at the international level. Chamoun also emphasized compensating the families of Lebanese detainees and securing Lebanon’s borders to prevent the entry of regime operatives.

Former deputy Antoine Zahra underscored the Syrian regime’s historical involvement in crimes against Lebanon. He highlighted a 2020 lawsuit filed against Assad and other Syrian officials for their role in the forced disappearance of Lebanese citizens. Zahra noted that while the Beirut Port explosion had temporarily diverted attention from this case, the regime’s fall would pave the way for international accountability.

Elie Mahfoud, leader of the Change Movement, demanded that individuals who collaborated with Syrian authorities admit their actions, apologize, and withdraw from public life. He reiterated that Assad and his regime would face prosecution, stressing the need to dissolve non-Lebanese militias operating in Lebanon.

Ali Abu Dahn, president of the Association of Detainees in Syrian Prisons, urged the families of detainees to remain patient, revealing that some secret prisons remain undisclosed. Lawyer Majd Harb called on the newly formed Syrian government to distinguish itself from Assad’s legacy by proving its integrity and ensuring the return of all recent abductees to their families.

The conference served as a rallying cry for justice, accountability, and a renewed commitment to sovereignty in the wake of monumental regional changes.