Published 2023-09-06 23:52
IS used the children’s hospital in Aleppo as a torture chamber for its prisoners.
Then they began to relax, took off their masks – and were caught on film.
Here are the pictures that the terrorist sect does not want anyone to see.
For several months, the hidden surveillance cameras recorded the activity of IS fighters in the disused children’s hospital that had been converted into headquarters and torture chambers.
On the hour-long material, which CNN taken part in, blindfolded prisoners are seen being moved around, beaten with sticks and tortured by being hung up with their arms behind their backs.
Believing they were alone, the terrorists finally took off their disguises. Something that proved decisive for Cija, the Commission for International Justice and Accountability, which investigates the crimes.
– Today we can show the world what the Islamic State looked like behind the scenes, says Cija head Chris Engels to CNN and continues:
– These films are incredibly important evidence at trial. We can now confirm the stories of survivors.
Like spread out
Hundreds of Syrians were held in the makeshift prison. Many never made it out alive.
When rebel forces liberated the building in January 2014, corpses were found scattered across the floors. They were executed, with their hands tied behind their backs.
Those lucky enough to get out alive have testified to nightly torture with chains and ropes, and prisoners lying in pools of their own blood.
Clear evidence
Chris Engels says the surveillance cameras from Aleppo were clear evidence of the abuses going on at the compound and are helping to identify IS members still roaming the streets or incarcerated for other crimes.
Cija says it has provided information for prosecutions in 13 countries and receives its funding from Western governments, including the US, UK, Canada, Germany and others.
– National authorities often have sufficient evidence to show that someone was a member of or supported a terrorist organization and obtain a conviction. But we think it is important, whenever possible, to bring them to justice for the torture, for the kidnapping, for the murders, says Chris Engel.