Syria launches probe into death of ‘White Helmet’ rescuer in police custody

What the report says

Syrian authorities have opened an investigation into the death of Mohammed Gamira, a former member of the White Helmets rescue organization, after he died in hospital while in police custody in Latakia province. The case has triggered public anger and protests in the coastal region, with further demonstrations reported as planned across the country. Gamira had been detained at the Haffeh police station over a financial dispute.

According to Al Jazeera’s report, family members and supporters say security officers ignored warnings that Gamira had hemophilia and subjected him to severe abuse during roughly three days of detention. They allege he suffered catastrophic internal bleeding, including a brain hemorrhage and abdominal bleeding, before he was transferred for medical care at Tishreen University Hospital. Photos circulating on social media showing him in intensive care helped fuel the outcry.

The Latakia Internal Security Command said it had launched a probe into the circumstances of his detention, while the Interior Ministry said it would review whether procedures followed legal requirements and consider his health condition. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said any misconduct by ministry personnel would be punished. The case is politically sensitive because many Syrians still associate detention abuse with the former Assad era, when rights groups documented widespread torture and prison deaths.