The Syrian Future Movement warmly and unequivocally welcomes the release of Syrian youth Mohammed Suleiman al-Anqa (22 years old, from Homs Governorate), who had been sentenced to death by a court in Najaf, Iraq. He arrived at Damascus International Airport on January 28, 2026, where he was received by his family and Syrian intelligence officials.
This release comes after intensive diplomatic efforts by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the work of Brigadier General Abdul Rahman al-Dabbagh in the Directorate of Intelligence, to save a Syrian citizen from a harsh sentence that sparked widespread controversy.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates the official efforts that led to this release and affirms that saving the life of a Syrian citizen from a death sentence represents a significant humanitarian and diplomatic victory, especially given the Iraqi authorities’ accusations of “glorifying the terrorist Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi,” “encouraging the killing of members of the Iraqi army and the Popular Mobilization Forces,” “publishing videos burning an image of Imam Ali,” and “calling for joining ISIS”—allegations vehemently denied by the young man’s family, who confirmed that he was subjected to severe torture (including electric shocks) and forced confessions without being allowed to read the documents he signed.
The Syrian Future Movement echoes the sentiments of the Syrian public, who expressed their joy at this release. We view it as a positive step in protecting the rights of Syrian citizens abroad and evidence of the effectiveness of the new Syrian diplomacy.
However, we share the legitimate concerns regarding the fate of thousands of other Syrian detainees in Iraqi prisons and the need for permanent mechanisms to follow up on their cases and ensure that such harsh sentences based on dubious confessions or political/sectarian motives are not repeated.
The Syrian Future Movement calls on the relevant authorities to build upon this achievement with practical and institutional steps:
- Continuous judicial and diplomatic follow-up to verify the validity of the documents and the verdict, and to close the case permanently, ensuring that the young man is not exposed to any future risks.
- Providing comprehensive support to Mohammed Suleiman Al-Anqa and his family, including medical and psychological care to address the effects of torture and prolonged detention.
- Establishing a joint committee between the Syrian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice, in cooperation with independent human rights organizations, to document and monitor the cases of Syrian detainees in Iraq and neighboring countries, with a clear mechanism for families to file complaints.
- Strengthening judicial cooperation with the Iraqi side to guarantee fair trials, respect for human rights, and to avoid verdicts based on forced confessions or sectarian motives.
- Launching a national awareness campaign to educate Syrian citizens about the dangers of traveling to or being present in sensitive areas without sufficient knowledge of local laws, while providing diplomatic and legal guidance.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that protecting the dignity and life of every Syrian citizen abroad is a sacred national duty, and that such cases highlight the importance of building regional relations based on mutual respect and shared interests. Therefore, we hope that this release will be the beginning of closing other similar cases, and returning the sons of Syria to their homeland with dignity and peace.
