Report: Holding Accountable Those Who Attempt to Conceal Evidence in the Prisons of Bashar al-Assad's Regime
January 14, 2025, 1:41 pm

Report: Holding Accountable Those Who Attempt to Conceal Evidence in the Prisons of Bashar al-Assad's Regime

جدران سجن المزة العسكري بدمشق

Concealing evidence in sites where war crimes and crimes against humanity have taken place is considered a crime in itself, aiming to erase the traces of horrific violations and deprive victims and their families of their rights to justice. This phenomenon represents a blatant assault on humanity and on the painful truths that need to be acknowledged and revealed.

A large number of Syrian activists expressed their anger after reports emerged indicating the concealment of evidence in the former regime's prisons, which could allow perpetrators to evade judicial accountability. These reports included the destruction of surveillance cameras at Sednaya Prison, as well as the erasure of features within prisons that could lead to identifying the culprits.

Concealing evidence is defined as a series of intentional acts aimed at removing or destroying evidence used to prove the commission of crimes. These acts include the erasure of official documents, the destruction of victims' remains, and the manipulation of testimonies and memories. These practices represent a double violation of human rights: the first occurs during the commission of violations, and the second involves efforts to ignore or deny those violations.

Prisons and locations where these crimes occurred stand as witnesses to a massive humanitarian tragedy. These places must remain alive in the world's memory, representing symbols of the resilience of victims and the reality of the suffering they endured. Concealing these features poses a danger to the ability of societies to learn from past mistakes and ensure they are not repeated.

Activist Mo'tasim al-Kilani called on his personal Facebook account for a formal complaint to be filed with the public prosecutor in Latakia against individuals who appeared in a circulated video for their involvement in concealing evidence related to the Political Security Branch prison there. The complaint also includes the security official who granted permission for these individuals to enter the crime scene and tamper with the evidence, leading to its concealment.

This act, according to national and international laws, is considered a pattern of complicity and direct or indirect participation in the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Holding accountable those involved in concealing evidence requires assessing the responsibilities placed on individuals who were granted permission to enter crime scenes. These individuals are part of an integrated system that seeks to protect the perpetrators by hiding the truths.

National and international legal frameworks indicate that allowing the concealment of evidence constitutes a form of complicity, meaning that those responsible for these actions must be held accountable, whether they are part of the state apparatus or belong to unofficial entities.

The erasure of traces of serious violations not only affects direct victims but also extends to the rights of their families. Concealing the truth leads to a total loss of justice and hinders appropriate punishment for the criminals. By distorting history, society is deprived of the opportunity to learn and engage with its past.

Preserving evidence and testimonies is essential to ensuring justice. Holding accountable those responsible for violations and ensuring victims' rights must represent a fundamental part of any future reconciliation process. As communities strive to build a better future, prioritizing the revelation of truth and the achievement of justice must be fundamental.

The responsibility to hold accountable those who seek to conceal evidence in the prisons of the Syrian regime is not just a legal necessity, but a humanitarian duty. The international community and involved parties must work collaboratively to ensure that criminals do not escape punishment. Preserving truth and justice is not only to safeguard the memory of the victims but also to ensure that humanitarian tragedies are not repeated in the future. Sacrificing the facts means sacrificing humanity, and it is our collective duty to hold accountable those who seek to erase them.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.