Syrian journalist Kazem Togan recently returned to Syria for the first time in 12 years and was surprised to find out he was wanted by the country’s intelligence branch. He was thrilled by the news, saying that every Syrian now asks whether they were wanted during the Assad regime, as it has become a matter of pride to have been targeted by a government that tortured and killed millions of its citizens.

For over five decades, the Assad family ruled Syria by terror, and anyone wanted by any branch of the regime could be arrested and sent to prison. This was known as “having a name.” Now, those who were once terrorists or opponents of the regime are openly asking officials about their status and boasting about it on social media.

Many Syrians were on the wanted lists for various reasons such as making a political joke, carrying foreign currency, evading military service, or even living abroad for too long. The danger of being wanted drove millions of Syrians into exile or hiding.

After the rebels took power, they gained access to databases and intelligence files that were kept on millions of Syrians. These documents could be used in the future to pursue justice and accountability for the crimes of the dictatorship.

Some Syrians, including Tamer Turkmane, the founder of the Syrian Revolution Archive, feel proud to have been on these lists because they were documenting human rights violations by the old regime. He was asked by passport control officers what he did that made multiple regime branches want him, to which he responded with laughter.

The new government has forgiven many Syrians for being wanted for reserve military duty or conscription, but will not dismiss previous civil court judgments or criminal charges.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/world/middleeast/syria-assad-regime-wanted-people.html