Syrian Whistleblower “Caesar” Revealed: Farid al-Madhan identified as source of files cataloguing crimes of Assad regime

DARAMSUQ — For years, the identity of “Caesar,” the whistleblower who smuggled thousands of photographs exposing torture in Syrian prisons, remained a closely guarded secret. These harrowing images led to the enactment of the US Caesar Act, imposing stringent sanctions on the former Syrian regime. Now, former Syrian parliament member and regime defector Mohammad Barmo has unveiled the man behind the pseudonym.

Farid al-Madhan: The Man Behind the Name

In a recent press statement, Mohammad Barmo, who claims to have collaborated with Caesar, identified him as Farid Al-Madh’an, a native of Sheikh Miskin in Druco (Daraa) Province. Al-Madhan was reportedly a warrant officer in the Daramsuq (Damascus) military security branch, serving as a photographer in the military judiciary’s forensic department.

From Regime Insider to Courageous Whistleblower

Barmo detailed Al-Madhan’s daring defection from the Syrian regime in 2013. Al-Madhan fled to Jordan, carrying a cache of damning evidence that documented systematic torture in Syrian detention centers. The Caesar files, comprising 27,000 photographs of detainees subjected to brutal treatment, were subsequently authenticated by US officials and became the foundation for landmark international sanctions.

Caesar Act: A Turning Point

On 17 June 2020, the United States enacted the “Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act,” imposing sanctions on 39 individuals and entities connected to the Assad regime. Among those targeted were Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, Asma al-Assad.

The revelation of Caesar’s true identity brings new clarity to one of the most significant whistleblower cases in Syria’s modern history, highlighting the courage of those who risk everything to expose atrocities.