Damascus, Oct. 15 (SANA) The arrest of Ali Kayali, also known as Mihrac Ural, is an important step toward justice, Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of the National Authority for Transitional Justice, said Thursday.
In a post on X, Abdul Latif stressed that crimes of the past are imprescriptible and that victims’ rights are not forgotten.
Earlier on Thursday, the General Intelligence Service announced Kayali’s arrest as he was attempting to flee across the border. He is considered one of the main figures responsible for the 2013 massacres in al-Bayda and Ras al-Nabaa in Baniyas, which left hundreds of civilians, including women and children, martyred and wiped-out entire families.
Kayali is also considered one of the planners of the bombing carried out by the intelligence services of the deposed regime in the Turkish city of Reyhanlı in May 2013. The attack killed 53 people, wounded dozens and caused extensive material damage.
In a relevant context, Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais said the arrest of Ali Kayali, also known as Mihrac Ural, who was involved in massacres and grave violations against Syrians and in fueling sectarian strife, was a new achievement for the Syrian state and its institutions.
He said the arrest reaffirmed the state’s determination to pursue those responsible for serious crimes and bring them to justice.
MZN
