Syria Announces Transfer of 128 Prisoners from Lebanon
Authorities in Damascus have announced a plan to transfer 128 Syrian nationals from Lebanese prisons as part of ongoing judicial coordination between the two neighboring countries. Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar Al-Wais confirmed the move, which follows a legal agreement signed in Beirut last February, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
First Group of Prisoners Already Transferred
In March, Syrian and Lebanese authorities coordinated the transfer of a first group of 136 Syrian prisoners held in Roumieh Prison and other detention facilities. The prisoners arrived at the Jdeidet Yabous crossing between Syria and Lebanon. This initial transfer set the stage for further repatriations under the bilateral accord.
Scale of Syrian Inmates in Lebanon
An estimated 2,000 Syrian nationals are currently serving terms in Lebanese prisons, most convicted in criminal and security cases. Under the agreement, a total of 300 Syrian prisoners will be transferred to Syria. Roumieh Prison, the largest in Lebanon, has experienced numerous riots between 2011 and 2015 due to overcrowding. As of September 2025, almost 150 Syrian nationals were incarcerated and awaiting judgment in Roumieh, with most arrested between 2011 and 2017, according to a Prison Insider report. One detainee died by suicide in 2025 after being held for more than two years without a sentence.
