Jordanian returns to his family after 38 years in Syria prisons

DNA results have proven a man thought to be Jordanian Osama Al-Bataineh and was returned to Jordan on 9 December 2024, is not related to the Al-Bataineh family

Jordan has confirmed the return of Osama Al-Bataineh, a citizen who’s been incarcerated in Syrian prisons for 38 years, Ma’an News Agency reported.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official spokesperson, Sufyan Al-Qudah, said: “On Monday, the Ministry reached his father and collected the required information to ensure his return.”

Al-Qudah announced that Al-Bataineh had arrived at the Jaber border crossing and was handed over to his father by public security officers. He added: “Thanks to God, Al-Bataineh was safely returned to his family.”

Al-Qudah revealed that Al-Bataineh was found unconscious and suffering from memory loss.

Born in 1968, Al-Bataineh disappeared in 1986 at the age of 18.

UPDATE on 11 Dec 2024 at 12.35 GMT: Authorities have announced that DNA testing has found that the man is not Osama Al-Bataineh.

READ: Syria regime used over 70 methods of torture across 50 detention centres – Report

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