A very moving CNN video

[kenny]

The brutal father/son 52-year reign of the Assads is over!

This thread is not about politics.
Instead of political, I'd categorize CNN's video as humane and deeply touching.
It's a rare, real, and intense moment, the likes of which is rarely captured live on camera.

CNN's Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward tours one of Syria's suddenly-closed prisons looking for evidence of the American journalist Austin Tice, captured in 2012 and still missing.
What Ward and her crew came upon is at first startling, then heartwarming.
For some it'll be strong to watch.
This made me weep.

Note: no violence, bad language, nudity, or secks.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/11/world/video/syrian-prisoner-freed-clarissa-ward-digvid

 

[jeaniefish]

I literally held my breath while watching this. I hope that man has surviving family to welcome him back.

We have watched Clarissa Ward’s war time reports for years, from one middle eastern country to another. . She is a brave and well respected journalist. The horrors she has witnessed! Yet, even she was shaken at actually finding someone alive in those prisons.
I had stopped watching CNN and filtering other news that I watch. It’s just too much for me right now. Thank you, Kenny, for posting this rare, good news story.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I saw it on the news last evening. His shock at freedom and learning the reign of terror was over was shattering. He shook and clutched the people in such a way that would surely bring anyone to tears, particularly if you tried to imagine stepping into his shoes. Makes you wonder just how many other desperate souls there are around the world held like he had been. It will definitely humble and make you extremely self aware of your blessings. I hope his future is bright and finds him reunited with his family!

 

[Calliecake]

Extremely moving video. I hope this man has family waiting for him. He’s clearly traumatized. Watching him holding on to the people near him was gut wrenching. The fear he must have felt these past months.

We go about our days and complain about little unimportant things and then you see what this man has been thru. It sure puts everything in perspective.

Thank you for posting this @kenny.

 

[ShinyPink]

Thanks for sharing, @kenny There were several incredible videos with her - I just kept watching them. She's been in such heartbreaking and moving situations, not to mention dangerous!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Thanks for sharing, @kenny There were several incredible videos with her - I just kept watching them. She's been in such heartbreaking and moving situations, not to mention dangerous!

She really has been in some dangerous situations. She is a very good reporter and I know she has small children. I wonder how she manages the thought of danger vs. having those small kids at home. I hope she is always safe and well!

 

[stracci2000]

Heartbreaking and moving.

My great-grandparents immigrated from Homs where this man said he is from.

 

[Ally T]

The realities of a Dictator.

Thanks for posting this. It made me well up all the way through. What a brave woman she is & I hope that man, and the many others like him, get the help they need & are returned to their families to live in peace.

 

[Slickk]

Prisoner CNN helped free from Syrian prison was actually notorious Assad-regime torturer: report

“We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity,” CNN said.

nypost.com

Quotes from article:

The prisoner CNN helped free from a secret facility in Syria was actually a notorious member of Bashar al-Assad’s forces known to torture those who refused to pay him off, according to a shocking local fact check…

He also killed civilians during the Syrian Civil War in 2014 — and allegedly detained and tortured young men on bogus charges, many of which refused to pay bribes he demanded, Verify-Sy reported….

Locals claim he was locked up in the prison where he was discovered for less than a month due to a dispute with a high-ranking officer over sharing the extorted money…

 

[kenny]

Thanks for posting this, @Slickk

I assume CNN is pursuing this, and will publish their findings and an appropriate response.
I see nothing yet.

 

[Slickk]

Thanks for posting this, @Slickk

I assume CNN is pursuing this, and will publish their findings and an appropriate response.
I see nothing yet.

You are welcome @kenny
CNN has supposedly made this statement, though I haven’t been able to find it on their website so…not sure it’s authentic.

“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 decision to release the prisoner featured in our report was taken by the guard—a Syrian rebel. We reported the scene as it unfolded, including what the prisoner told us, with clear attribution. 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.”

 

[jeaniefish]

Yikes! Stay tuned for further developments!

 

[kenny]

CNN's update.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/16/middleeast/syria-assad-prisoner-homs-intl-latam/index.html

 

[MissGotRocks]

Yes, just read about this. If he was not who he said he was, he was very convincing. I guess nothing today ever really surprises me anymore. The only thing that appeared fishy to me was that he was under that blanket. I guess one could have assumed that he covered himself upon hearing people, but it first appeared that was how he spent his time.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I was suspicious from the outset--but I didn't post anything. His clothing was fresh and very neat, he was well groomed and looked healthy, and the prison floor looked cleaner than my kitchen floor. I wasn't surprised to read this update the other day.

cheers--Sharon

 

[kenny]

Do you think CNN deserves any flack for broadcasting the video before checking him out?
I wish I was a fly on the wall when CNN's editors & top brass discuss this and future policy.

I'll betcha this lying bastard, his buddies and that scumbag now in Moscow, are gloating and enjoying this.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Do you think CNN deserves any flack for broadcasting the video before checking him out?
I wish I was a fly on the wall when CNN's editors & top brass discuss this and future policy.

I'll betcha this lying bastard, his buddies and that scumbag now in Moscow, are gloating and enjoying this.

I don't know. If they had any inkling that something wasn't quite right, then broadcasting for the sensationalism would be wrong. Otherwise, I assume it was just a fluid situation and they did what they do. I would guess the situation has been gone over with a fine tooth comb to try to determine what they should have done.