In The News Syria’s disappeared: Leak of Assad torture photographs reveals fate of thousands
Dec 8, 2025
Sally Hayden, a Beirut-based reporter for The Irish Times and investigative journalist, delves into the harrowing leak of 33,000 photographs revealing the torture and abuse by Assad's regime. She discusses the impact of these images on families seeking answers about their loved ones. Hayden highlights the systematic brutality during Syria's civil war and the importance of advocating for victims' families before releasing such distressing content. She also addresses the prospects of justice and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the publication of graphic evidence.
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Mass New Archive Of Prisoner Photographs
- The new leak contains over 33,000 photographs, mostly from 2015–2024, documenting thousands of detainees who were tortured or killed.
- Sally Hayden says at least 10,212 detainees are pictured, many identified only by numbers and showing clear signs of starvation and abuse.
Reporter’s Memory Of The Caesar Leak
- Sally recounts her role on the original Caesar photos team and the visceral horror of realising the regime documented its crimes.
- She says the Caesar leak led to sanctions and had lasting impact but did not end the abuse.
Why The Regime Photographed Victims
- The regime appeared to document killings for bureaucratic and impunity reasons, sometimes to issue death certificates or simply record events.
- Hayden notes uncertainty about motives but highlights a pervasive belief in impunity among officials.