The Cartoonist Rights Network International is reporting that a fellow prisoner has stated that Syrian cartoonist Akram Raglan died in a Syrian hospital as “possibly a result of torture” two and a half years ago. Two years ago a PRI story reported the cartoonist’s death, but the family stating that they were unsure of the claim which resulted in uncertainty whether Akram is dead or still alive. With the latest report, the family is yet again uncertain.
I can understand the family’s uncertainty or even resistance to believing Akram was executed/tortured/killed by the Syrian government. What a painful thing to face. Given the brutality of the regime and the messiness of the civil war, it’s hard for me to believe the reports of his death aren’t the true.