CNN ‘Investigating’ Claims Freed ‘Prisoner’ is Assad Regime Torturer: ‘He May Have Given A False Identity’

CNN is “investigating” claims that a Syrian prisoner freed in a dramatic viral moment captured by the network’s chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward is, in fact, a notorious Assad regime torturer.

The network’s report last week came as rebel groups toppled President Bashir al-Assad and liberated prisons across the country, where the dictator held many of his political opponents.

One clip shared widely online featured Ward reporting from a former Syrian air force intelligence headquarters only to discover a man still in his cell and sleeping under a blanket. In what she described as one of the most “extraordinary moments” of her 20 year career, Ward led the startled prisoner from the windowless cell to freedom.

However, Verify-Sy — a local fact-checking group – published a detailed investigation on Sunday identifying the man as Salama Mohammad Salama, a first lieutenant in Syrian air force intelligence with a grim record of alleged crimes, including torture and extortion.

In response, CNN acknowledged the allegations in a statement:

We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity. We are continuing our reporting into this and the wider story.

The man, who initially identified himself to CNN as Adel Ghurbal, claimed he had been detained for three months and was unaware of the collapse of the Assad regime. However, Verify-Sy pointed to inconsistencies, noting his “well-groomed” appearance, lack of visible injuries, and failure to react when exposed to sunlight despite his claim of prolonged solitary confinement in darkness.

Verify-Sy’s report argued his real identity as Salama, known locally as “Abu Hamza.”

Witnesses alleged he had orchestrated theft, extortion, and the torture of civilians during the Syrian civil war. The fact-checkers claimed he was imprisoned following a financial dispute with a high-ranking regime official, contradicting his claim of being a victim of the regime.

Despite the allegations, CNN stood by its reporting process.

“No one other than the CNN team was aware of our plans to visit the prison building featured in our report that day. The events transpired as they appear in our film,” the network added.