How was Dr. Sakher al-Hallak Killed?

Last Wednesday at 10.30pm, the daughter of Dr. Sakher al-Hallak called him in his surgery as he had promised to return home. He answered her in a strange voice, informing her that he would take the nurse to her house before returning home.

The daughter told her mother that her father’s voice seemed unusual. The Dr. did not return home that night.

The following day, the family informed the police of the missing of Dr. Hallak, as well as members of the influential Sakhaanah family and other contacts of his. The security intelligence then informed the family through the Sakhanah family that the Dr was in good health and would return to them shortly.

On Thursday, the Dr’s body was found in a distorted and deformed state on way that leads to Sfeereh. His body was taken to the hospital, without knowing whose body it was. Both eyes were plugged, and a large injury was found on the waist. One man was able to identify the body and informed the son in law of Dr. Sakher, who immediately came to see the corpse.

Almost immediately, a group of security apparatus came to the hospital and forbade anybody from coming close to the corpse, even when the wife and daughter arrived. Instead, they informed the family that they would deliver the body to them the following day.
The following day, the body was delivered to the family’s home completely wrapped in cotton and gauze, with only the lower part of the face visible. Two of the security officers sat in the bedroom with the family, allowing them to cast a quick farewell glance at the body before burying it at after sunset, contrary to usual practice. Nobody was permitted to attend his burial or even his washing before the burial. The burial was overseen by security officers and some members of the Sakhanah family who were friends of the deceased Doctor.
We are awaiting further details and photos to be released. Dr. Sakher Hallak is a well known nutritional specialist in Aleppo. The website “the opposite way” mentioned that the doctor died as a result of strangulation, and that he was subjected to intense and horrific torture, his eyes plugged, and that there is a huge hole in his waist. These facts are taken from eyewitnesses in Aleppo.

We at the Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) strongly condemn this heinous act by the infamous Syrian security forces, and hold the Syrian authorities responsibility, both physically and morally. SHRC calls for the names of the perpetrators of this crime to be revealed, and that they are tried at a independent court for their atrocious crime.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
1/6/2011