Writer Stanislav Aseyev Visits Syria’s Sednaya Prison, Draws Parallels to Russia’s Izolyatsia

Stanislav Aseyev, a Ukrainian writer, journalist, and former Kremlin prisoner, visited the infamous Sednaya prison in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Known as a site of extreme human rights violations, the facility has drawn comparisons to a “death factory” due to reports of torture and mass executions.

According to Aseyev, his visit was facilitated by Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR). He described the journey as part of a broader effort to understand and document the region’s complex history.

“When I first learned about this place, I decided I had to see it for myself,” Aseyev wrote on social media. He referred to Sednaya as a “scaled-up Izolyatsia,” likening it to the notorious detention facility in occupied Donetsk where he had been held from 2017 to 2019. He noted that the upcoming publication of his findings would provide detailed insights into what he described as a significant part of the Middle Eastern context.

Aseyev expressed gratitude to General Kyrylo Budanov, head of HUR, for arranging the trip. He also highlighted the work of the HUR special operations unit, which ensured his safety during the mission despite ongoing operations in the region, including the evacuation of Ukrainian citizens from Syria. Aseyev described the team as highly skilled, multilingual, and knowledgeable about the cultural and religious dynamics of the area.

The Ukrainian Embassy in Beirut also provided logistical and diplomatic support for Aseyev’s visit, further aiding his work in the region.

Sednaya Prison’s History

Sednaya prison, located north of Damascus, was under the jurisdiction of the Assad regime’s Ministry of Defense and operated by military police. It gained notoriety for its harsh conditions and brutal practices, including torture and mass executions. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have documented these abuses extensively.

During the Syrian conflict, Sednaya became synonymous with the regime’s repression, serving as a detention center for civilians and military personnel accused of opposing the government. Amnesty International estimates that tens of thousands of detainees were killed in the facility.

Following the fall of the Assad regime, the prison was taken over by Syrian opposition forces. On December 8, 2024, its remaining prisoners were freed after negotiations led to the peaceful surrender of the prison’s administration.

Stanislav Aseyev

Stanislav Aseyev is a Ukrainian journalist, writer, and former political prisoner. He was detained by Russian-controlled forces in Donetsk in 2017 and held in the “Izolyatsia” detention center, notorious for torture and inhumane conditions. After his release in 2019, he authored the book In Isolation, which detailed his experiences in captivity.

Aseyev briefly served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2024, participating in combat operations in the Donetsk region. He left military service in October 2024 following injuries sustained during the Russia’s war against Ukraine.