(Image Source: Al Jazeera / Facebook)
BY CHARLES STANLEY
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“Protesters in two cities in Syria, apparently putting up fierce resistance against the government there. For the first time in a two-month revolt against Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The latest violence raising fears that Syria could end up in a Libyan style standoff.” (Fox News)
Those protests - the result of the alleged torture of a 13-year-old boy, Hamza Ali al-Khateeb. A video was posted to YouTube less than a week ago by the child’s parents – showing the aftermath of a gruesome beating. The New York Times sums up – what the video shows.
“His skin is scrawled with cuts, gashes, deep burns and bullet wounds that would probably have injured but not killed. His jaw and kneecaps are shattered, according to an unidentified narrator, and his penis chopped off.”
Al Jazeera broke the story – late last week – and the protests intensified over the weekend. The network believes the protests are the result of Hamza’s torture.
“Thousands of Syrians continue to gather in cities all around the country. This video that cannot be independently verified, shows large crowds in Homs. The alleged torture of 13-year-old Hamza Ali al-Khateeb who was buried on Wednesday has outraged the revolutionary movement. Activists say the situation has hit rock bottom.”
Bashar al-Assad’s regime is denying Hamza’s torture. According to CNN...
“A pro-regime television station disputes the allegations. With the doctor who did the autopsy phoning in saying there was no evidence of torture. He says what you saw came from decomposition.”
According to The Washington Post – activists believe Hamza will become Syria’s next Khaled Said – the street vendor widely credited for sparking revolt in Tunisia.
The Newspaper interviewed a human rights lawyer in Damascus, who says the torture surprised even Syrians who are accustomed to violence.
“Torture is usual in Syria. It’s not something new or strange. What is special about Hamza is that he was only 13 years old. He really is a child … That’s why it shocked all Syrians, even those who haven’t decided whether they want to participate or not in the protests.”
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