Syria accused of torturing hundreds of detainees to death

AN activist group has accused the Syrian regime of torturing hundreds of people to death in overcrowded prisons, jails and illegal detention centres across the country since an uprising began in March.

Avaaz, an online global activist group, issued a report saying 617 people have been confirmed killed under torture by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces as they cracked down on the revolt.

“Assad’s henchmen have tried to break the pro-democracy movement in these torture chambers, but brave Syrians are still standing up for their rights,” said Avaaz campaign director Stephanie Brancaforte.