Syrian prisoners and their families

It’s been two weeks since the fall of the Assad regime and the horror of the brutal and corrupt system he oversaw has been laid bare. Since the start of the civil war in 2011, it’s estimated that 100,000 people – men, women and children – disappeared without trace into Assad’s prison system.

One of our guests this week, Omar, was 15 years old when he was taken from his home to be starved and tortured in the notorious Saydnaya prison near Damascus. He tells Mark Lowen that he can never forgive his captors.

“I remember my friends who were with me, they died,” he says. “What kind of closure could I have after 14 years? I want to stay angry, and I want to remember every small detail of torture because I want to stay angry at them.”

After rebel forces released prisoners, families across the country have been able to celebrate the return of loved ones. Meanwhile, others try to discover if their loved ones are still alive. Maan in Damascus, whose older brother Muneer was arrested in 2014, and Hiba whose father was arrested in Aleppo in 2011, share their experiences with host Luke Jones.

A warning this episode contains distressing details.

Presenters: Luke Jones and Mark Lowen

BBC producers: Angela Sheeran, Laura Cress and Ben Davis. Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham.

An EcoAudio certified Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC OS team.

(Photo: Noor in the UK Credit: Noor)