Idlib: Relief Worker Alaa Elaiwi Escapes His Kidnappers 32 Days after His Abduction

On October 19, 2018, relief worker Alaa Elaiwi, accompanied by a young man, who was also kidnapped, managed to escape his kidnappers 32 days after his abduction and exposure to severe torture by unidentified men, according to the testimony he provided to Syrians for Truth and Justice/STJ.

On October 24, Alaa Elaiwi, a relief worker, narrated to STJ the details of his kidnapping:

 “After I was kidnapped, while performing a task in the village of Sahyan, southern rural Idlib, the kidnappers transported me to the village of Maar Dibsah near Saraqib city. There, I stayed for 32 days. They, then, moved me to the city of Saraqib. That is where I managed to escape. What helped me flee was a raid and massive shooting that occurred in the region. Later, it became clear that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham/HTS was storming a stronghold of a suspect gang. The confusion helped me break through, accompanied by another young man from the city of Khan Shaykhun, an abductee himself.”

Elaiwi added:

“While kidnapped, I was subjected to severe torture all the time, during which I fainted several times. Once, I lost consciousness for two days. The young man, kidnapped with me, took care of me. The torture aimed at imposing pressure on my relatives and family as to pay the demanded ransom. I was not investigated about anything or asked about anything.”

Elaiwi said that he failed to identify the kidnappers, and continued to add:

“HTS is now investigating the matter and doing follow up on the case. I know nothing about the other kidnapped young man but that he is from the city of Khan Shaykhun. I also do not know for how long he had been kidnapped. I entered the room and he was just there.”

On October 3, 2018, Syria Charity organization, active in several regions in Aleppo, Hama and Idlib, has fully suspended its activities in protest against the kidnapping incident. Covering this, STJ published a detailed news report. [1]