Mohamed Khalouf
Mohamed Khalouf | |
|---|---|
| Died | 29 January 2025 |
| Known for | Head of Far' Falastin |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Ba'athist Syria |
| Branch |  Syrian Arab Armed Forces |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Battles / wars | Syrian civil war |
Mohamed Khalouf was a Syrian Military Officer who served as a brigadier general and head of Branch 235 (commonly known as the "Palestine Branch") of the Syrian Military Intelligence Directorate in Damascus from 2009 to 2014. His tenure was marked by widespread human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, systematic torture, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings of detainees.[1][2][3][4]
Branch 235
[edit]Under Khalouf's leadership, Branch 235 became notorious for severe abuses committed by Syrian Military Intelligence. Reports indicate that over 500 detainees died as a result of torture and inhumane treatment during his tenure. The branch was implicated in large-scale human rights violations, including deaths under torture and degrading treatment of prisoners.[5]
Sanctions and allegations
[edit]Khalouf has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Canada for his role in these crimes.[6] He has also been implicated in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.[1][7]
Transfer and later career
[edit]In April 2014, Khalouf was transferred from Branch 235 to Latakia and was replaced by Brigadier General Yassin Dahi.[1]
Death
[edit]On January 29, 2025 he was executed by supporters of Ahmed al-Sharaa.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Mohamed Khalouf". Pro Justice. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ "L_2012196EN.01008101.xml". eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ "Criminal complaint to the German Federal Public Prosecutor Torture in Syria" (PDF). ECCHR. 2017.
- ^ "Syria: Torture Centers Revealed | Human Rights Watch". 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ^ Houry, Nadim (2013-09-13). ""No One's Left"". Human Rights Watch.
- ^ Source needed
- ^ "CONSOLIDATED LIST OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS TARGETS IN THE UK" (PDF). Office of Finnacial sanctions Implementation HM treasury. 2023.
- ^ "من هو العميد محمد خلوف؟ تفاصيل إعدام عميد بالجيش السوري على يد عناصر تابعة لأحمد الشرع" (in Arabic). 2025-01-29. Retrieved 2025-02-02.