Houssam Mahfouz disappeared since 2013 by Syrian authorities

Houssam Mahfouz disappeared since 2013 by Syrian authorities

Houssam Mahfouz is a Syrian national who was violently arrested and disappeared at his home on May 23, 2013 by the police and members of the Syrian Political Security Branch. Mahfouz was last sighted on June 14, 2014 in a secret detention facility renowned for documented cases of torture. His fate and whereabouts remains unknown.

On May 23, 2013 Mahfouz’s home was raided by the police and members of the Syrian Political Security Branch who searched the house and beat Mahfouz in front of his children, which resulted in a serious head wound. Mahfouz was subsequently arrested and disappeared. Approximately one and a half months later, Syrian authorities seized Mahfouz’s grocery shop.

One year after his arrest, Mahfouz’s lawyer obtained informal information from the State Security Branch in Damascus that Mahfouz was being held in a secret detention facility and had been informally accused of funding, supporting and assisting a terrorist organisation. On June 14, 2014, Mahfouz was last seen by a former detainee at Branch 285, General Intelligence Department Branch in Damascus. In 2018, following a request for information made to the Public Prosecutor in Damascus, Mahfouz’s family were advised by authorities that they had no information regarding his fate and whereabouts.

Timeline

November 4, 2019: MENA Rights Group requests intervention of UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
July 2018: Family submits a request to the Public Prosecutor in Damascus for information regarding the whereabouts of Mahfouz but are advised by authorities that they have no information.
June 14, 2014: Mahfouz is last seen by a former detainee at Branch 285, General Intelligence Department Branch, Damascus.
July 2013: Syrian authorities seize the shop owned by Mahfouz.
May 23, 2013: Mahfouz is arrested by police and members of the Syrian Political Security Branch.