CNN confirmed Monday that the network first reported in its Viral Corner that the man was mistakenly believed to be a Syrian prisoner released from a secret prison.
CNN's Clarissa Ward's news segment last week widely reported on the alleged rescue of a “Syrian prisoner” who she reported had spent “three months in a windowless cell” in one of Assad's secret prisons. It spread. Ward called it “One of the most extraordinary moments I have witnessed” in her journalism career. But the man appeared to be in good condition for someone who had been locked up in a horrific prison and without food or water for several days, raising questions about the superficial story.
Ward confirmed that the man was actually Salama Mohammad Salama, also known as Abu Hamza, who was a lieutenant in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence. CNN coverage He said he was known for extortion and harassment, but fact-finding by local Syrians said he was even known to commit torture and murder.
“From what we heard last Wednesday, we can confirm that this man is Salama Mohamed Salama.” Word Posted by X to caption CNN's coverage of the ordeal.
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CNN's Clarissa Ward offered water to the man while the network's cameras were rolling. (CNN/Screenshot)
“CNN initially discovered the man while following leads on missing American journalist Austin Tice. According to video reporting, Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward and her team identified the man as a rebel security guard. “The man was found alone in his cell under a blanket, with guards blasting away the lock with a gun outside,” CNN reported.
“When he came outside, the man appeared confused. When he was questioned by the rebel fighters who released him, he identified himself as Adel Gulbal from the city of Homs in central Syria.” CNN continued. “Images obtained by CNN on Monday show the man's true identity, said to be Lieutenant Salama Mohammad Salama of Assad's Air Force Intelligence Directorate.”
CNN reported that a Homs resident “provided CNN with a photo purported to be of the same person while at work in what appeared to be a government office,” and his identity was confirmed using facial recognition software.
“The photo shows a man in military uniform sitting at a desk. CNN is not publishing the photo to protect the source's anonymity,” CNN reported, adding, “Several Homs residents said… The man said it was Salama, also known as Abu Hamza.'' However, it added, “It is unclear how and why Salama ended up in Damascus prison, and CNN has not been able to resume contact with Salama.'' I haven’t.”
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CNN acknowledged Monday that it had been misled by a man it had initially reported was a Syrian prisoner released from a secret prison. (CNN/Screenshot)
Verify Sci, which is affiliated with the Poynter Institute, which also runs PolitiFact, first reported that the man was providing false information.
“Salama, known as “Abu Hamza,'' is a lieutenant in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence and is notorious for his activities in Homs. He admitted that he was stationed there. It was an abuse of that,” Verify-SY reported.
“Abu Hamza controlled several security checkpoints in Homs and was reportedly involved in theft, extortion, and extortion of informants from residents,” Verify-SY continued. “According to local residents, his recent imprisonment (for less than a month) was due to a dispute with a senior officer over the distribution of profits from extorted funds. He was detained in one of the houses,” a nearby source said. ”
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Verify-SY reported that the prisoner was actually Salama Mohammad Salama, also known as Abu Hamza, a lieutenant in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence, notorious for torturing young men. (CNN/Screenshot)
The report said Salama had a “tragic history” and had “participated in military operations on several fronts in Homs in 2014, killing civilians”, adding that he “did not give any reason or even fabricated the killings”. “He is responsible for detaining and torturing a large number of young people in the city for the purpose of detaining him,” he added. I will charge you. ”
“Many were targeted simply for refusing to pay bribes, refusing to cooperate, or for arbitrary reasons such as their appearance. These details were provided by victims and former detainees who spoke with Verify-Sy. This was corroborated by his family,” the report said.
David Rutz of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
