The article describes a visit to the Sednaya prison in Damascus, Syria, which was notorious for its harsh conditions and systematic torture during Bashar al-Assad’s reign. The author notes that the prison is now abandoned, but the memories of its past atrocities linger. The article highlights the eerie similarities between Sednaya and Izolyatsiya, a prison in Donetsk, Ukraine, known for its brutal conditions.
The author describes the current state of Sednaya as “a thing of the past,” with the sun shining through its empty cells and illuminating the walls for journalists. However, the article cautions that the suffering at Sednaya was real, and it is unclear whether the Syrian people will truly leave it in the past.
The article includes several photographs taken by Stanislav Aseyev, which show the conditions inside Sednaya, including the cells, the feeding hatches, and the clothes of the condemned prisoners. The photos are haunting and serve as a reminder of the atrocities that took place at the prison.
Overall, the article provides a glimpse into the dark history of Sednaya and its comparison to Izolyatsiya, highlighting the need for justice and accountability for the victims of these prisons.