afrinpost-Exclusive
Private sources have reported that on September 20, the Turkish-affiliated military police militia facilitated the smuggling of four prisoners from Marateh Prison in the occupied region of Afrin, in exchange for substantial financial sums.
These four prisoners were initially detained on charges related to drug trafficking. Two of them were from al-Khatib family in Maraat Al-Numan, one from Al-Bab area, and the fourth was originally from Damascus. Allegedly, the military police militia received a payment of $30,000 in return for aiding their prison escape.
These smuggling operations, which occur periodically, shed light on the alleged corruption within the security apparatuses of the Turkish authorities. Large sums of money are reportedly extorted to facilitate the escape of individuals accused of serious crimes, including murder, involvement with ISIS, or drug trafficking.
On August 31, 2023, a group of prisoners, accused of being associated with ISIS, were transported to a military hospital under the pretext of needing medical treatment. Subsequently, they announced their escape from the hospital. It was later revealed that their escape had allegedly been facilitated in exchange for a payment of $10,000 per individual.
Reports suggest that the military police militia now demands $30,000 for the release of each ISIS-affiliated prisoner from Afrin region, on the condition that they leave the occupied territory.
