In 2015, amidst the Syrian civil war, a chilling incident unfolded in a small town near Idlib. Two women were sentenced to death for ”corruption and prostitution,” a charge often levied arbitrarily in conflict zones. Their execution, carried out ”in God’s name,” occurred in public, with the women kneeling before their executioners. The scene was captured in two videos, later verified by the Syrian independent fact-checking platform Verify-Sy, which showed Shadi al-Waisi, the newly appointed justice minister, observing the execution. In one video, he stands behind one of the women, pronouncing the sentence. A wall behind him bears the names Jabhat al-Nusra and Tanzeem al-Qaida, local Salafist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda. The video cuts before the shot is fired. The second video shows al-Waisi standing next to the other woman as she’s shot in the head. Her last plea was to see her children.
These videos, circulating on social media, prompted Verify-Sy, founded in 2016, to undertake a thorough investigation. Employing various verification techniques, including technical analysis of al-Waisi’s image and voice compared to recent recordings, they confirmed the videos’ authenticity with a high degree of certainty. To solidify their findings, Verify-Sy contacted multiple sources within the new Syrian administration. A high-ranking, anonymous official confirmed al-Waisi’s identity and his role as a judge at the time of the execution. This official, in a statement to Verify-Sy, acknowledged the events depicted in the video, framing them as the application of law at a specific time and place, according to the prevailing legal framework.
The official’s statement carefully distanced the current administration from the events, emphasizing that the execution reflected a past stage that they had moved beyond. He stressed the changed circumstances and legal references, arguing against generalizing the incident to represent the current situation. Furthermore, he asserted the new administration’s commitment to justice and the rule of law, aiming to fulfil the aspirations of all Syrians. This carefully worded response reflects the complex political landscape of Syria and the challenges faced by administrations attempting to establish legitimacy in the wake of protracted conflict.
Verify-Sy’s work, initially met with skepticism, has gradually gained credibility. Their commitment to neutrality, balance, objectivity, and transparency has bolstered their reputation. They have debunked over 800 misleading or false publications concerning the Syrian situation, including reports from the Assad regime, the opposition, Arab media, international outlets, and social media accounts. A notable instance of Verify-Sy’s work involved exposing a CNN report featuring an alleged prisoner released from a Damascus prison, who was subsequently revealed to be an intelligence officer from the ousted Syrian regime. This case underscores the importance of independent verification in conflict zones, where information can be easily manipulated for political gain.
The execution of the two women in Idlib, while seemingly an isolated incident, highlights the broader issues surrounding human rights and justice during times of conflict. The summary execution, based on charges that appear flimsy at best, raises concerns about due process and fair trials. The presence of the justice minister, and the subsequent justification by the administration, adds another layer of complexity. It showcases the challenges of transitional justice and accountability in post-conflict settings, where the lines between past actions and present intentions can become blurred.
The work of organizations like Verify-Sy plays a crucial role in navigating this complex information landscape. By diligently fact-checking and verifying information, they contribute to a more accurate understanding of the situation on the ground. Their efforts help expose misinformation and propaganda, which are often used to justify violence and human rights abuses. In a context as volatile as Syria, where multiple actors with competing agendas vie for influence, independent verification becomes an essential tool for holding those in power accountable and promoting transparency. The exposure of the executions in Idlib, and the subsequent response from the Syrian administration, underscores the importance of continued scrutiny and the pursuit of justice, even amidst ongoing conflict.
