CNN admits that the man released in the viral segment was a famous lieutenant of the Assad regime. Not a civilian as he claimed.

CNN acknowledged on Monday that One man misunderstood with the network initially reporting on the viral segment. that it was a Syrian prisoner who had been released from a secret prison

CNN’s Clarissa Ward news segment went viral last week. When she mentioned helping Alleged “Syrian prisoners” which she reports takes “Three months in a windowless cell” in a secret prison of the Assad regime, Ward. call it She called it “one of the most extraordinary moments I’ve ever seen” in her journalistic career. However, the man appeared to be in good shape for someone who had been locked up in a gruesome prison and had not been given food or water for so long. day This raises questions about superficial storytelling.

Ward confirmed that the man was Salama Mohammad Salama, also known as Abu Hamza, who was a first lieutenant in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Service. CNN report Said he is known for extortion and harassment. Local Syrian investigators say he has even committed acts of torture and murder.

“We can confirm the true identity of this man from our story on Wednesday as Salama Mohammed Salama.” Ward posted on to describe CNN’s report on the ordeal.

Viral CNN segment showing Syrian prisoners’ release comes under scrutiny

CNN’s Clarissa Ward offered the man water as the network’s cameras rolled. (CNN/ Screenshot)

“CNN initially discovered the man while following the whereabouts of missing US journalist Austin Tice, in a video report. Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward and her team along with the rebel card A cell in a Damascus prison was discovered that had been locked from outside. An officer used a gun to blow the lock. and found the man alone in his cell under a blanket,” CNN reported.

“When he appeared in the clearing The man looked confused. When questioned by the rebel fighters who released him The man identified himself as Adel Qurbal from the central Syrian city of Homs,” CNN continued. “Images obtained by CNN on Monday Pointing out this man’s true identity. He is said to be a lieutenant in the Assad regime’s air force intelligence service, Mohammad Salama.”

CNN reports that a Homs resident “provided CNN with a photograph of the same man while he was on duty. in what appears to be a government agency,” and his identity was confirmed using facial recognition software.

“The photo shows him sitting at a table. He was apparently wearing a military uniform. CNN did not release the photo to protect the anonymity of its source,” CNN reported, adding that “several Homs residents said the man was Salama, also known as Abu Hamza.” “It is unclear how or why Salama is being held in Damascus. And CNN has been unable to contact him again.”

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CNN acknowledged on Monday that A man was deceived by the network The network initially reported that it was a Syrian prisoner who had been released from a secret prison. (CNN/Screenshot)

Verify-Sy, affiliated with the Poynter Institute, which runs PolitiFact, first reported that the person provided false information.

“Salama, also known as ‘Abu Hamza’, is a lieutenant in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Unit. Who is famous for his activities in Homs. Residents of the al-Bayyada neighborhood said he was frequently stationed at a checkpoint at the area’s western entrance. which is famous for abuse,” Verify-SY reported.

“Abu Hamza is reported to have operated several security checkpoints in Homs and was involved in theft, extortion and forcing residents to become informants,” Verify-SY continued. His most recent imprisonment lasted less than a month. It stemmed from a dispute over sharing profits from extorted funds with high-ranking officials. This led to him being detained in a Damascus cell. According to nearby news sources.”

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Verify-SY reports that it really Then the prisoner was Salama Mohammad Salama, also known as Abu Hamza, a first lieutenant in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Service. who was famous for torturing young men (CNN/Screenshot)

The report said Salama had a “horrible history” and “participated in military operations on several fronts in Homs in 2014, killing civilians”, adding that he “Responsible for the detention and torture of many young men in the city without cause or under false pretenses. fee”

“Many people have been targeted simply because they refused to pay bribes. refuse cooperation or even for arbitrary reasons such as their appearance. These details were confirmed by victims’ families and former detainees who spoke with Verify-Sy,” the report said.

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Fox News Digital’s David Rutz contributed to this report.