Freed Syria prison sparks hope and heartbreak

“HE WAS ALIVE”

Many remain convinced they are in secret underground dungeons.

The White Helmets, a rescue organisation, said they are looking for “hidden underground cells”, before announcing on Tuesday the end of search operations at Saydnaya without finding further detainees.

Amnesty International has dubbed Saydnaya a “human slaughterhouse”, recording thousands of executions in the prison.

The London-based rights group said the prison was designed to “exterminate” inmates.

Mohammad al-Jabi, 40, was searching for four of his relatives at the facility.

“They were all arrested on terrorism charges, including my nephew, who was 14 at the time,” he said.