Syria detains seven after man dies following beating in custody

DAMASCUS: Syrian authorities detained seven individuals following the death of Mohammed Ghumeira, who suffered from complications due to brain and gastrointestinal hemorrhaging after being beaten in police custody. The emergencies and disaster management ministry identified Ghumeira, a man in his late twenties married with two children, as one of their personnel and disclosed that he had haemophilia, a disorder causing impaired blood clotting.

A family source told AFP that Ghumeira was accused of stealing a large sum of money, detained for three days, and later released due to insufficient evidence, but his health deteriorated from alleged torture, leading to his demise.

State television reported that security forces in Latakia had detained seven people for questioning at the time of the incident. Earlier, authorities were investigating the circumstances surrounding Ghumeira's detention and whether proper medical care was provided. Interior Minister Anas Khattab vowed that any misconduct by interior ministry personnel would be dealt with firmly, according to relevant laws and procedures, and the offenders would face their just punishment.

Emphasizing the sacrifices made by Syrians over the past 14 years to secure a dignified and humane society, Interior Minister Raed al-Saleh called Ghumeira a "brother, friend, and colleague." He posted a picture of the late man in a civil defense vest, vowing that there would be no impunity. The police station personnel accused of beating Ghumeira have been detained, and legal measures will be taken against them.