Assad regime kicks out Red Crescent from prisoners’ strike negotiations in Hama

Assad regime released Thursday morning 14 new prisoners from Hama’s central prison, making the total amount 48 released prisoners since a prisoners’ strike started Monday.

Hama News Agency reported the names of those who were released and sent to the opposition checkpoints in Qalaat al-Madiq area in Hama countryside.

These developments took place following renewed negotiations between the prison’s administration and the detainees Thursday night.

During the negotiations, the Assad regime deliberately kicked out the Red Crescent from the talks and placed the prisoners under tough conditions; they either continue with their strike and endure a possible mass execution – similar to what happened in Tadmor military prison under Hafez’s rule – or end the strike peacefully in exchange for the release of 491 detainees but under no clear guarantees.

In the meantime, sources confirm that the prisoners of conscience inside the prison are continuing with their strike until now in order to force the Assad regime to meet all their demands, amid a cut in electricity, water and food by the prison’s administration.