From euronews · Wessam Al Jurdi · · 1m
Syria arrests 'Butcher of Baniyas'
Syria arrests militia commander accused of 2013 coastal massacres.
In brief
Syria arrests militia commander accused of 2013 coastal massacres. Syria arrested Ali Kayali, 70, who commanded forces that killed over 450 civilians in 2013 Bayda and Baniyas massacres. Originally reported by euronews.
Syria arrests militia commander
Syria's General Intelligence Directorate arrested Ali Kayali, 70, known as Mihrac Ural, who commanded al-Assad-affiliated militia forces in 2013.
2013 coastal massacres
Kayali is accused of summary executions of over 450 civilians in Bayda and Baniyas coastal provinces in May 2013.
Human Rights Watch report
Human Rights Watch documented at least 248 deaths in Bayda and Baniyas in September 2013, with likely higher real numbers.
Kayali's background
Born in Antakya, Turkey in 1956, Kayali joined terrorist groups in Turkey before fleeing to Syria in 1982.
Arrest details
Kayali was taken from his home in Lebanon by armed men with Lebanese accents, not at a Syrian border crossing.
Syria's transitional justice
Syria's Interior Ministry says it is pursuing individuals accused of abuses under the former regime for transitional justice.
At a glance
Syria arrested Ali Kayali, 70, who commanded forces that killed over 450 civilians in 2013 Bayda and Baniyas massacres.
