Syrian prisoner transfer deal reignites Lebanese amnesty debate

One persistent point of contention in Lebanese-Syrian relations has been the status of approximately 2,000 Syrians detained in Lebanese prisons, including roughly 800 held for violent acts such as shootings and attacks, many of whom remain without trial. Damascus has repeatedly requested the transfer of these prisoners so that they could complete their sentences in Syria, but Lebanese judicial authorities have maintained that each case must be individually reviewed, particularly for those accused of crimes against Lebanese civilians or the army.

Just recently, however, Lebanon’s Cabinet has formally approved an agreement to transfer Syrian prisoners serving sentences in Lebanese prisons back to their home country, marking a significant step in the ongoing recalibration of relations between the two neighboring states.

The deal, which is expected to involve around 300 prisoners, addresses one of the longstanding obstacles in Lebanon-Syria relations, while also opening broader debates on justice and human rights within Lebanon itself.

Details of the agreement

The agreement, approved by Lebanon’s Council of Ministers, is set to be formally signed in Beirut this week (Syrian officials, including the Minister of Justice or Foreign Minister, are expected to attend the signing ceremony), outlines the legal and administrative framework for transferring prisoners. Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri clarified that the agreement involves approximately 300 Syrian inmates who have served 10 years or more in Lebanese facilities. Importantly, the agreement does not imply their release; rather, the prisoners will continue serving their sentences under Syrian jurisdiction.

Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morcos stressed that while the prisoner transfer addresses a major bilateral issue, other matters remain unresolved. These include the fate of Lebanese nationals believed to have disappeared into Syrian prisons during Assad’s rule and ongoing disputes over border demarcation between the two countries.

The legal procedure for transfers requires each prisoner to submit a written request through their legal representative, which is then evaluated by the relevant authorities. Transfers may occur individually or in groups, either directly from prisons or via border crossings, with a maximum implementation timeframe of 3 months from the date of signing.

Diverse prisoner profiles and security concerns

The Syrian prisoners in Lebanon represent a diverse group. Hundreds face terrorism-related charges, including affiliation with extremist factions or armed militias, and some were prosecuted by the Lebanese Military Court for attacks targeting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) during the Syrian Civil War (2011-2024). Others are accused of violent crimes against civilians. The agreement ensures that those convicted of severe crimes against Lebanon or its citizens are carefully reviewed before transfer.

The file of Syrian detainees has long been sensitive, with humanitarian and security dimensions intertwined. Advocates highlight issues of prolonged detention without trial, overcrowding, and insufficient healthcare in Lebanese prisons such as Roumieh, particularly affecting prisoners from Syria. Human rights groups have described the agreement as a positive step toward resolving a chronic issue while emphasizing the need to safeguard prisoners’ rights during and after transfer.

Political implications at home

The agreement has triggered protests and debates within Lebanon. Dozens of relatives of detained Lebanese gathered and held a sit-in at Riad al-Solh Square, calling for similar measures to address Lebanese prisoners, including individuals detained for joining anti-Assad militias in Syria. Some protested the incarceration of figures like Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir, who was imprisoned following 2013 clashes that resulted in the deaths of LAF soldiers.

Protesters argued that the state had found solutions for Syrian detainees (whom some describe as “heroes of the Syrian revolution”) but had not applied equivalent measures for Lebanese citizens. Speeches were also given, calling on Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Minister of Justice Adel Nassar to uphold their responsibilities, and to reduce the prison term to 6 months or issue a general amnesty, in addition to improving the conditions of prisoners.

From here, The Beiruter reached out to Sheikh Hassan Merheb to better understand the demonstrations’ demands and reasoning. He framed the detainees’ issue as a matter of fundamental justice, calling for urgent redress to what he described as “grave injustice and inhumane conditions” inside Roumieh Prison. He argued that the current situation requires a comprehensive solution rooted in transitional justice, stressing that “the prison itself is unfit for human incarceration,” and that detainees are subjected to treatment and living conditions that are “unimaginably harsh.”

Sheikh Merheb stated that the movement’s primary demand is a general amnesty for all detainees, adding that if such an amnesty proves politically unattainable, alternative measures should be adopted, including recalculating sentences so that “a prison year would be equivalent to 6 months,” and abolishing executions by clearly redefining the terms of life and capital sentences.

Additionally, he criticized what he sees as a double standard in how Lebanese fighters were treated during the Syrian conflict, noting that those who fought alongside the Syrian regime were “portrayed as heroes,” while others who, in his words, “defended the oppressed” were labeled terrorists and handed “unjust rulings, including death sentences and life imprisonment.” Merheb stressed that the demand transcends nationality, insisting that “before we speak as Lebanese or Syrians, we are demanding the rights of human beings,” and called for a near-term general amnesty for all detainees (Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian alike) so the country can “move into a new phase” marked by fair and humane justice.

While no direct contact has been conducted between the demonstrators and the Syrian government, Sheikh Merheb nonetheless stated that “I believe the issue has reached the Syrian leadership, and we are awaiting, God willing, some concrete or executive action on the ground in the coming days, when they meet with the Lebanese state to discuss and follow up on this file.”

Moreover, Sheikh Merheb placed responsibility first and foremost on the Sunni leadership; specifically the Prime Minister (PM), Sunni ministers, and Sunni members of parliament. “They bear the primary responsibility for this file and for our sons in prison,” he claimed, noting that he had asked PM Nawaf Salam to suspend his work and refrain from issuing any decisions on behalf of the government until this file is resolved. Thus, Sheikh Merheb asserted that “we will persist with these peaceful and rightful activities. Everything we are able to do in this regard, we will not hesitate to do; whether through sit-ins, demonstrations, or any lawful and legitimate action permitted by law. We will continue to pressure the state until our demands are implemented.”

In conclusion, the Lebanese Cabinet’s approval of the prisoner transfer agreement represents a milestone in bilateral relations with Syria, resolving a sensitive issue that has hindered cooperation for years. While the measure addresses the legal and humanitarian aspects of Syrian detainees, it also exposes domestic challenges, particularly calls for justice and parity for Lebanese prisoners.