Ali Kayali Arrested: Justice Prevails for Victims of War Crimes
Syrian intelligence services have successfully apprehended Ali Kayali, known widely as “Meraj Ural,” following his attempt to flee across the border. The announcement was made by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Marwan al-Halabi, who described the arrest as a testament to the state’s commitment to pursuing those responsible for grave crimes.
In a statement shared on his official social media page, al-Halabi congratulated the Syrian people, specifically the residents of Baniyas, on this security development. The arrest marks the conclusion of a thirteen-year search for the fugitive, who had spent over a decade attempting to evade justice by utilizing various clandestine border routes. Al-Halabi emphasized that this action serves as definitive proof that crimes do not expire with the passage of time and that the scales of justice will eventually reach anyone involved in the shedding of innocent blood, regardless of how long they remain at large.
The Minister praised the institutional performance of the General Intelligence Directorate, commending its ongoing efforts in carrying out security mandates with vigilance and persistence. He reaffirmed that the pursuit of criminals remains an unwavering national responsibility necessary to ensure justice for victims.
Ali Kayali was the founder of an armed militia that played a prominent role in the events witnessed in Syria throughout the war. The militia’s groups participated in widespread suppression operations, during which they committed violent massacres in several regions. Historically, the record of practices attributed to this militia prominently includes the massacres of al-Bayda and Ras al-Nabaa in the Baniyas countryside.
According to documentation provided by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the massacre in al-Bayda resulted in the death of 264 civilians, including 36 children and 28 women. The massacre at Ras al-Nabaa resulted in the loss of 195 civilians, including 56 children and 43 women. The apprehension of Kayali is being viewed as a significant legal and security milestone, with the public awaiting the judicial implications regarding the ongoing pursuit of those involved in war crimes and violations that have impacted the safety of citizens and the stability of Syrian regions throughout the crisis.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
