2026.06.25 - 15:14

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 Syrian authorities have received a new batch of convicted Syrian prisoners from Lebanon, comprising 128 individuals, as part of the implementation of the prisoner transfer agreement signed between Damascus and Beirut in early February. The agreement aims to allow inmates to complete their sentences in their country of origin.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates confirmed that the transfer was carried out in coordination with Lebanese authorities, within a framework of joint cooperation between the foreign affairs, justice, and interior ministries of both countries. It said the move is part of ongoing efforts to implement the provisions of the bilateral agreement on prisoner exchange and judicial cooperation.

The ministry added that the transfer reflects continued coordination between the two sides in addressing humanitarian and legal cases, stressing that work is ongoing to implement the remaining provisions of the agreement under established legal frameworks.

Second Batch Following Transfer of 136 Prisoners

This group represents the second transfer under the agreement. On March 17, Damascus received an initial batch of 136 Syrian prisoners who had been held in Roumieh Central Prison and other Lebanese detention facilities.

That first transfer was conducted under the supervision of Syrian authorities and in coordination with judicial and security institutions in both countries, as part of a broader plan to address the situation of Syrian prisoners in Lebanon.

Negotiations Preceded the Agreement

The agreement followed months of consultations and meetings between Syrian and Lebanese officials, culminating in its signing on February 6.

At the time, Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais described the deal as an important step in addressing the situation of Syrian prisoners in Lebanon, noting that discussions between both sides had continued since December 2024 at political and judicial levels.

He said the agreement covers complex legal cases involving prisoners who have spent years in Lebanese prisons, adding that future plans include addressing additional cases not covered under the current framework.

Judicial Cooperation Between the Two Countries

Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri described the agreement as the result of joint cooperation between experts and judges from both countries, reflecting a mutual willingness to strengthen legal and judicial coordination and resolve outstanding cases.

The Lebanese Cabinet approved the agreement in late January, allowing convicted prisoners to serve the remainder of their sentences in their countries of origin after completing the required legal procedures.

Lebanese officials have previously stated that the agreement could eventually include more than 300 Syrian prisoners, some of whom have spent long periods in Lebanese detention facilities.

A Complex Ongoing File

The issue of Syrian prisoners in Lebanon remains one of the most sensitive humanitarian and legal files between the two countries, given the large number of Syrians held in Lebanese detention centres for years.

Roumieh Prison is the largest in Lebanon and houses thousands of inmates, despite a significantly lower official capacity, resulting in severe overcrowding and related health and living condition challenges.

Over recent years, Lebanese prisons have witnessed repeated protests over detention conditions, while international human rights organisations have issued reports highlighting systemic challenges in Lebanon’s detention system.

Rights estimates suggest that a significant number of Syrians remain in Lebanese prisons, including both detainees and convicted individuals in various cases, while other files related to missing persons and detainees remain under review between the two countries.

With the continued implementation of the prisoner transfer agreement, detainee and missing persons cases remain among the most prominent issues on the Syrian–Lebanese relations agenda, amid ongoing efforts to address outstanding files through legal and judicial channels.

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