Baladi News
Syrian intelligence authorities have released some 40 children who were arrested in the Homs governorate last week, after negotiations between parents and Al-Rastan’s reconciliation committee.
The Air Intelligence Division stipulated a fee for the release of the 56 children, ranging between 100,000 and 500,000 Syrian pounds ($190-$970), local sources told reporters. Whilst most of the families managed to arrange the payment, some 10 to 15 children are believed to be still in custody.
The minors, aged between 13 and 16, were detained by intelligence services in raids on their homes and schools in the town of Al-Rastan last week with their location withheld from their families for several days.
They were reportedly detained on suspicion of writing pro-revolutionary graffiti near a school; the arrest campaign also came after leaflets were found near a local mosque expressing support for the opposition group Ahrar Al-Shaam among other factions.
According to Syrian news agency Zaman Al-Wasl, local sources confirmed that the children were tortured, beaten and threatened with greater punishment if the incident was repeated.
The latest detentions prompted fear of further reprisals against local residents, amid news that three young men from Al-Rastan, previously detained by the government, died in prison as a result of torture.
Source: Middle East Monitor.