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{{short description|Head of Syria's military field court the from 2011 to 2014}} |
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{{short description|Head of Syria's military field court from 2011 to 2014}} |
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{{Infobox criminal |
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{{Infobox military person |
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| image = |
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| name = Mohammed Kanjo Hassan |
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| name = Mohammed Kanjo Hassan |
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| birth_date = Unknown year |
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| other names = |
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| birth_date = {{circa|1957}}<ref name="Morocco World News">{{Cite web |title=Assad regime executioner "Kanjo" captured after deadly clashes|date=27 December 2024 |work=Morocco World News|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2024/12/367248/assad-regimes-executioner-kanjo-arrested-after-deadly-clashes|access-date=27 December 2024 }}</ref> |
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| birth_place = ], ] |
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| birth_place = ], ] |
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| nationality = Syrian |
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| nationality = Syrian |
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| known_for = Mastermind of ] |
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| known_for = Mastermind of ] |
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| party = ] |
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| party = ] |
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| parents = |
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| conviction = |
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| victims = approx. 10.000k |
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| apprehended = 26 December, 2024 |
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| module = {{Infobox military person |embed=yes |
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| module = {{Infobox military person |embed=yes |
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| allegiance = {{flag|Syria|1980}} |
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| allegiance = {{flag|Ba'athist Syria}} |
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| branch = ] (SAAR) |
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| branch = {{armed forces|Ba'athist Syria}} |
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| rank = Major General |
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| rank = ] Major General |
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'''Mohammed Kanjo Hassan''' was a Syrian ], head of Syria's military field court and chief of military justice across Syria.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Syria's new rulers arrest official behind Saydnaya death penalties |date=27 December 2024 |work=France 24 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241226-syria-new-rulers-arrest-key-military-official-behind-saydnaya-death-penalties-assad |access-date=27 December 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=|date=June 11, 2011 |work=Word Press |url=https://introac.wordpress.com/2011/07/11/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%82%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B9-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B9/|access-date=27 December 2024 }}</ref> |
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'''Mohammed Kanjo Hassan''' ({{langx|ar|محمد كنجو الحسن}}) (born {{circa|1957}}) is a Syrian former ] who served as head of Syria's military field court and chief of military justice across Syria.<ref name="France 24">{{Cite web |title=Syria's new rulers arrest official behind Saydnaya death penalties |date=27 December 2024 |work=France 24 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241226-syria-new-rulers-arrest-key-military-official-behind-saydnaya-death-penalties-assad |access-date=27 December 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=القضاء العسكري قد تحول إلى فرع أمني – معلومات خطيرة جدا وهامة … بالاضافة لأنها موثوقة ومؤكدة|date=June 11, 2011 |work=Word Press |url=https://introac.wordpress.com/2011/07/11/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%82%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B9-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B9/|access-date=27 December 2024 }}</ref> |
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Kanjo Hassan became notorious for his role in the atrocities committed in ]. On December 26, 2024, Kanjo Hassan was arrested by ] after a gunfight between Syrian security forces and Kanjo Hassan loyalists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Syria's new rulers arrest official behind Saydnaya death penalties |date=27 December 2024 |work=France 24 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241226-syria-new-rulers-arrest-key-military-official-behind-saydnaya-death-penalties-assad |access-date=27 December 2024 }}</ref> |
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Kanjo Hassan would mastermind the atrocities at ], earning him the nickname "the Butcher of Sednaya". He also sentenced thousands of people to death.<ref>https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241226-syria-new-rulers-arrest-key-military-official-behind-saydnaya-death-penalties-assad</ref><ref name="Morocco World News">{{Cite web |title=Assad regime executioner "Kanjo" captured after deadly clashes|date=27 December 2024 |work=Morocco World News|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2024/12/367248/assad-regimes-executioner-kanjo-arrested-after-deadly-clashes|access-date=27 December 2024 }}</ref> On December 26, 2024, Kanjo Hassan was arrested by the ] after a gunfight between Syrian security forces and Kanjo Hassan loyalists.<ref name="France 24"/> |
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== Background == |
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== Background == |
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{{unreferenced section|date= December 2024}} |
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Mohammad Kanjo Hassan was born in the ] in ]. After graduating from law school, Hassan enrolled in the ] where he joined the military judiciary, climbing the ranks until he was appointed as prosecutor for the military field court. |
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Mohammad Kanjo Hassan was born in the ] in ]. After graduating from law school, Hassan enrolled in the ] where he joined the military judiciary, climbing the ranks until he was appointed as prosecutor for the military field court.{{cn|date=January 2025}} |
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== Role during the Assad regime == |
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== Role during the Assad regime == |
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Kanjo Hassan was the head of Syria's military field court from 2011 to 2014. Later on, Kanjo Hassan was promoted to chief of military justice across Syria, |
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Kanjo Hassan was the head of Syria's military field court from 2011 to 2014. Later on, Kanjo Hassan was promoted to chief of military justice across Syria, |
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During his tenure in the military field court, Kanjo Hassan was accused of extorting detainees’ families in order to obtain money from them, amassing $150 million from bribes paid by relatives of detainees desperate for information on their loved ones.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hounshell |first=Blake |date=December 27 2024 |title=syria-former-justice-who-sent-thousands-to-death-arrested|work=] |url=https://www.amp.dw.com/en/syria-former-justice-who-sent-thousands-to-death-arrested/a-71166368|access-date=2024-12-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hounshell |first=Blake |date=December 27 2024 |title=syria-captures-key-military-official-involved-sednaya-prison-abuses|work=] |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-captures-key-military-official-involved-sednaya-prison-abuses|access-date=2024-12-27}}</ref> |
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During his tenure in the military field court, Kanjo Hassan was accused of extorting detainees’ families in order to obtain money from them, amassing $150 million from bribes paid by relatives of detainees desperate for information on their loved ones.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hounshell |first=Blake |date=December 27, 2024 |title=syria-former-justice-who-sent-thousands-to-death-arrested|work=] |url=https://www.amp.dw.com/en/syria-former-justice-who-sent-thousands-to-death-arrested/a-71166368|access-date=2024-12-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hounshell |first=Blake |date=December 27, 2024 |title=syria-captures-key-military-official-involved-sednaya-prison-abuses|work=] |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-captures-key-military-official-involved-sednaya-prison-abuses|access-date=2024-12-27}}</ref> |
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During his role as prosecutor for the military courts, Kanjo Hassan was responsible for issuing various death sentences, life sentences and prolonged prison sentences. |
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During his role as prosecutor for the military courts, Kanjo Hassan was responsible for issuing various death sentences, life sentences and prolonged prison sentences. |
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Kanjo Hassan would amend charges set out against the defendants following the issuance of a presidential amnesty, so that the amnesty would not apply to them which led the mass trial of 116 defendants who were arrested during the ]. |
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Kanjo Hassan would amend charges set out against the defendants following the issuance of a presidential amnesty, so that the amnesty would not apply to them which led the mass trial of 116 defendants who were arrested during the ]. |
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According to the victims, the trials would usually last three minutes, during which the detainee is not permitted to speak and there are no rights to representation from legal counsel. Kanjo Hassan carried out his role as prosecutor until his promotion to the rank of major-general, becoming head of the court. |
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According to the victims, the trials would usually last three minutes, during which the detainee is not permitted to speak and there are no rights to representation from legal counsel. Kanjo Hassan carried out his role as prosecutor until his promotion to the rank of major-general, becoming head of the court. |
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After the ], Kanjo Hassan would go into hiding and would lead the ].<ref name="SOHR25Dec25">{{cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/352265/ |title= Armed clashes. 14 members of the General Security Forces killed in Tartous countryside |work=]|date=25 December 2024 |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref> |
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After the ], Kanjo Hassan would go into hiding as he became the most wanted fugitive in Syria after members of the ].<ref name="economist2024">{{cite news |title=Inside Bashar al-Assad's dungeons |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/12/09/inside-bashar-al-assads-dungeons |access-date=9 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241209163334/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/12/09/inside-bashar-al-assads-dungeons |archive-date=9 December 2024 |newspaper=The Economist |date=9 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/searching-for-loved-ones-in-a-newly-liberated-syrian-prison |title=Searching for Loved Ones in a Newly Liberated Syrian Prison |magazine=The New Yorker |last1=Anderson |first1=Jon Lee |access-date=12 December 2024 |archive-date=12 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212132007/https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/searching-for-loved-ones-in-a-newly-liberated-syrian-prison |url-status=live }}</ref> He helped lead the ].<ref name="SOHR25Dec25">{{cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/352265/ |title= Armed clashes. 14 members of the General Security Forces killed in Tartous countryside |work=]|date=25 December 2024 |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref> |
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== Manhunt and capture == |
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== Manhunt and capture == |
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{{Infobox military operation |
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On 25 December, unidentified armed groups conducted synchronized assaults on multiple security checkpoints in the western Hama countryside with ] and ], killing one Syrian government troop and injuring another.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-12-25 |title=بقواذف “الآر بي جي” والأسلحة الثقيلة.. مقـ ـتل وإصابة عنصرين من إدارة العمليات العسكرية بهـ ـجـ ـوم لمجموعات مسلحة على مواقع بريف حماة {{!}} المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان |url=https://www.syriahr.com/%D8%A8%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B0%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A2%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D8%AC%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%82/742483/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |language=ar}}</ref> On the same day, a contingent of the General Security Forces –a police unit loyal to the new government– made their way to the ] village in the southern Tartus Governorate. They intended to arrest Kanjo Hassan. Upon entering the village, the General Security Forces were ambushed by militants, with 14 policemen and three attackers being killed. According to '']'', loyalists of Kanjo Hassan and another former Ba'athist officer, ], were responsible for the ambush.<ref name="SOHR25Dec25" /> The militants were led by Mohammed Kanjo Hassan's brother and expelled the security forces from the village.<ref name="SOHR25Dec26">{{cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/352294/ |title=Amid escape of several wanted individuals and arrest of dozens, including "Kanjo" Military Operations Directorate launches combing operation in Tartous countryside |work=]|date=26 December 2024 |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref> The transitional government described the ambush as an attack by Assad loyalists. A curfew was declared at several cities.<ref name="mee" /> |
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| name = Capture of Mohammed Kanjo Hassan |
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| partof = the ] and ] |
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| location = ], ] |
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| location2 = <!-- 2 through 10 for more locations --> |
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| coordinates2 = <!-- 2 through 10 for more locations --> |
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| map_label2 = <!-- 2 through 10 for more locations --> |
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| commanded_by = {{flagicon|Syrian opposition}} ] |
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| target = {{flagicon|Syria|1980}} Mohammad Kanjo Hassan{{POW}} |
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| date = {{start date and age|2024|12|26|df=yes}} |
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| outcome = Operational success |
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* Capture and arrest of Mohammad Kanjo Hassan and twenty others. |
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| fatalities = 14 (+3 attackers) |
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| injuries = 10 |
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| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Syrian civil war}} |
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On 25 December, unidentified armed groups conducted synchronized assaults on multiple security checkpoints in the western Hama countryside with ] and ]s, killing one Syrian government troop and injuring another.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-12-25 |title=بقواذف "الآر بي جي" والأسلحة الثقيلة.. مقـ ـتل وإصابة عنصرين من إدارة العمليات العسكرية بهـ ـجـ ـوم لمجموعات مسلحة على مواقع بريف حماة {{!}} المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان |url=https://www.syriahr.com/%D8%A8%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B0%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A2%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D8%AC%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%82/742483/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |language=ar}}</ref> On the same day, a contingent of the General Security Forces –a police unit loyal to the new government– made their way to the ] village in the southern Tartus Governorate. They intended to arrest Kanjo Hassan. Upon entering the village, the General Security Forces were ambushed by militants, with 14 policemen and three attackers being killed. According to '']'', loyalists of Kanjo Hassan and another former Ba'athist officer, ], were responsible for the ambush.<ref name="SOHR25Dec25" /> The militants were led by Mohammed Kanjo Hassan's brother and expelled the security forces from the village.<ref name="SOHR25Dec26">{{cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/352294/ |title=Amid escape of several wanted individuals and arrest of dozens, including "Kanjo" Military Operations Directorate launches combing operation in Tartous countryside |work=]|date=26 December 2024 |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref> The transitional government described the ambush as an attack by Assad loyalists. A curfew was declared at several cities.<ref name="mee" /> |
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The next day, the Syrian Military Operations Department conducted a major security operation combing through several Tartus Governorate villages and forests for regime loyalists and those involved with Assad regime-related crimes.<ref name=":2" /> Armed forces launched a raid in the village of ], resulting in the arrest of Kanjo Hassan and twenty of his associates. Kanjo Hassan was found hiding in a hole in the ground.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=السوري |first=المرصد |date=2024-12-26 |title=تصفية "شبيح" ومقتل اثنين من المتورطين بقتل عناصر الأمن العام في الساحل السوري {{!}} المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان |url=https://www.syriahr.com/%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B4%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%AD-%D9%88%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%AB%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8/742547/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |language=ar}}</ref> The conflict resulted in fourteen interior ministry personnel losing their lives and ten others sustaining injuries during what officials described as an "ambush".<ref name=":0" /> Three gunmen associated with Kanjo Hassan were also killed in the gun fight.<ref>{{Cite web |last=السوري |first=المرصد |date=2024-12-25 |title=مقتل 6 عناصر من قوى الأمن العام باشتباكات مع عصابة أحد سفاحي "صيدنايا" في ريف طرطوس {{!}} المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان |url=https://www.syriahr.com/%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-6-%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%82%D9%88%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7/742416/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hounshell |first=Blake |date=December 27 2024 |title=syria-authorities-arrest-official-behind-saydnaya-death-penalties|work=] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/12/27/syria-authorities-arrest-official-behind-saydnaya-death-penalties-ngo_6736475_4.html|access-date=2024-12-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Syria's new rulers arrest official behind Saydnaya death penalties |date=27 December 2024 |work=France 24 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241226-syria-new-rulers-arrest-key-military-official-behind-saydnaya-death-penalties-assad |access-date=27 December 2024 }}</ref> |
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The next day, the Syrian Military Operations Department conducted a major security operation combing through several Tartus Governorate villages and forests for regime loyalists and those involved with Assad regime-related crimes.<ref name=":2" /> Armed forces launched a raid in the village of ], resulting in the arrest of Kanjo Hassan and twenty of his associates. Kanjo Hassan was found hiding in a hole in the ground.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=السوري |first=المرصد |date=2024-12-26 |title=تصفية "شبيح" ومقتل اثنين من المتورطين بقتل عناصر الأمن العام في الساحل السوري {{!}} المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان |url=https://www.syriahr.com/%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B4%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%AD-%D9%88%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%AB%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8/742547/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |language=ar}}</ref> The conflict resulted in fourteen interior ministry personnel losing their lives and ten others sustaining injuries during what officials described as an "ambush".<ref name=":0" /> Three gunmen associated with Kanjo Hassan were also killed in the gun fight.<ref>{{Cite web |last=السوري |first=المرصد |date=2024-12-25 |title=مقتل 6 عناصر من قوى الأمن العام باشتباكات مع عصابة أحد سفاحي "صيدنايا" في ريف طرطوس {{!}} المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان |url=https://www.syriahr.com/%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-6-%D8%B9%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%82%D9%88%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7/742416/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hounshell |first=Blake |date=December 27, 2024 |title=syria-authorities-arrest-official-behind-saydnaya-death-penalties|work=] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/12/27/syria-authorities-arrest-official-behind-saydnaya-death-penalties-ngo_6736475_4.html|access-date=2024-12-27}}</ref><ref name="France 24"/> |
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The news of Kanjo Hassan’s detention was confirmed by the ]. And the ] welcomed the arrest, describing it as an "important step on the path to justice and the prosecution of those who committed crimes against the Syrian people".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Syria's new rulers arrest official behind Saydnaya death penalties |date=27 December 2024 |work=France 24 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241226-syria-new-rulers-arrest-key-military-official-behind-saydnaya-death-penalties-assad |access-date=27 December 2024 }}</ref> |
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The news of Kanjo Hassan’s detention was confirmed by the ]. And the ] welcomed the arrest, describing it as an "important step on the path to justice and the prosecution of those who committed crimes against the Syrian people".<ref name="France 24"/> |
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== References == |
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== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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{{Ba'ath Party}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{improve categories|date=December 2024}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hassan, Mohammad Kanjo}} |
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Kanjo Hassan was the head of Syria's military field court from 2011 to 2014. Later on, Kanjo Hassan was promoted to chief of military justice across Syria,
During his tenure in the military field court, Kanjo Hassan was accused of extorting detainees’ families in order to obtain money from them, amassing $150 million from bribes paid by relatives of detainees desperate for information on their loved ones.
During his role as prosecutor for the military courts, Kanjo Hassan was responsible for issuing various death sentences, life sentences and prolonged prison sentences.
Kanjo Hassan would amend charges set out against the defendants following the issuance of a presidential amnesty, so that the amnesty would not apply to them which led the mass trial of 116 defendants who were arrested during the siege of Daraa.
According to the victims, the trials would usually last three minutes, during which the detainee is not permitted to speak and there are no rights to representation from legal counsel. Kanjo Hassan carried out his role as prosecutor until his promotion to the rank of major-general, becoming head of the court.
On 25 December, unidentified armed groups conducted synchronized assaults on multiple security checkpoints in the western Hama countryside with RPG launchers and heavy machine guns, killing one Syrian government troop and injuring another. On the same day, a contingent of the General Security Forces –a police unit loyal to the new government– made their way to the Khirbet al-Ma'zah village in the southern Tartus Governorate. They intended to arrest Kanjo Hassan. Upon entering the village, the General Security Forces were ambushed by militants, with 14 policemen and three attackers being killed. According to SOHR, loyalists of Kanjo Hassan and another former Ba'athist officer, Suhayl al-Hasan, were responsible for the ambush. The militants were led by Mohammed Kanjo Hassan's brother and expelled the security forces from the village. The transitional government described the ambush as an attack by Assad loyalists. A curfew was declared at several cities.
The next day, the Syrian Military Operations Department conducted a major security operation combing through several Tartus Governorate villages and forests for regime loyalists and those involved with Assad regime-related crimes. Armed forces launched a raid in the village of Khirbet al-Ma'zah, resulting in the arrest of Kanjo Hassan and twenty of his associates. Kanjo Hassan was found hiding in a hole in the ground. The conflict resulted in fourteen interior ministry personnel losing their lives and ten others sustaining injuries during what officials described as an "ambush". Three gunmen associated with Kanjo Hassan were also killed in the gun fight.
Ba'athist Syria
Syrian Armed Forces
Major General
Military Operations Command
