Last week, CNN’s dramatic report of a prisoner rescue in Syria captivated audiences worldwide.

The footage, spearheaded by journalist Clarissa Ward, depicted a man freed from a secret prison facility in Damascus. Ward called it “one of the most extraordinary moments I have witnessed” in her 20 years of reporting.

However, recent investigations suggest that the man in question was not an innocent victim but rather a notorious enforcer of Bashar al-Assad’s regime with a dark history of torture and extortion.

The prisoner, who identified himself as Adel Ghurbal in the report, claimed to have been detained by government forces three months earlier. CNN’s footage showed him being discovered under a blanket in a windowless cell, allegedly unaware that Assad’s regime had collapsed.

Ward and her team, accompanied by a rebel fighter, facilitated his release, portraying it as a small victory for justice amid the chaos of Syria’s ongoing conflict.

Inmate whom CNN helped free from Syrian prison was actually notorious Assad regime torturer

However, local investigative outlet Verify-Sy, which bills itself as “independent and unbiased,” published a bombshell report Sunday exposing the prisoner’s true identity.

According to the outlet, the man CNN helped free is actually Salama Mohammad Salama, also known as “Abu Hamza,” a first lieutenant in Syrian air force intelligence with a record of heinous war crimes.

Salama’s alleged crimes paint a harrowing picture of his role during Syria’s brutal civil war. Verify-Sy reported that he operated at multiple security checkpoints in Homs, engaging in theft, extortion, and coercion.

Residents accused him of forcing civilians to act as informants for Assad’s regime and detaining individuals on fabricated charges. Many of those detained were tortured or killed, particularly if they refused to pay bribes.

Inmate whom CNN helped free from Syrian prison was actually notorious Assad regime torturer

Salama’s name is also tied to civilian massacres during the civil war in 2014. Witnesses described him as a figure of terror in the region, one who used his position of power to exploit and oppress those under his control.

According to local sources, Salama’s imprisonment was not the result of political persecution or justice. Instead, he was reportedly detained after a financial dispute with a high-ranking officer over the division of extorted money.

Locals claim he was held in the same facility CNN visited, but only for a brief period—far less than the three months he alleged.

Verify-Sy also highlighted inconsistencies in the prisoner’s appearance and behavior that cast doubt on his story. Despite claiming to have spent 90 days in solitary confinement in complete darkness, he appeared “well-groomed and physically healthy, with no visible injuries or signs of torture.”

Even more suspiciously, he did not squint or react to sunlight after supposedly being deprived of it for months.

These observations led Verify-Sy to investigate further, ultimately uncovering Salama’s real identity. The outlet found no record of an “Adel Ghurbal” in the region, confirming that the name provided was a fabrication.

CNN, in response to these allegations, acknowledged the possibility that the individual gave a false identity.

“We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity,” CNN told The New York Post. “We are continuing our reporting into this and the wider story.”

The revelations raise questions about the circumstances surrounding CNN’s report. Critics argue that the network may have unintentionally lent legitimacy to a figure implicated in war crimes.

Inmate whom CNN helped free from Syrian prison was actually notorious Assad regime torturer

Verify-Sy’s report also called into question the authenticity of the rescue, with some speculating that Salama’s release was less about liberation and more about political theater.

However, CNN has firmly denied allegations that the story was staged. “No one other than the CNN team was aware of our plans to visit the prison building featured in our report that day. The events transpired as they appear in our film,” the network said in a statement.

The report showed Salama being fed and later taken away by emergency medical technicians, concluding with a sense of relief and closure.

Yet the reality of who he was and what he represented has tarnished the narrative of heroism portrayed in the original broadcast.

The incident underscores the ethical challenges journalists face when reporting in war-torn regions.

Verifying facts on the ground, especially in areas with shifting power dynamics and unreliable information, can be a Herculean task. In this case, the urgency to shed light on human rights abuses may have led to a critical oversight.

As CNN continues its investigation, the story serves as a reminder of the complexity and peril of covering conflict.

The apparent mix-up not only undermines the credibility of the report but also risks eroding trust in media outlets that play a vital role in documenting the truth.

For now, the tale of Salama Mohammad Salama stands as a cautionary example of how even well-intentioned acts can have unintended consequences.

The truth behind his release—whether it was a genuine mistake or an orchestrated act—remains a stark reminder of the murky realities of war and the power of narrative in shaping public perception.

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