Lebanese authorities transferred 137 Syrian detainees from Roumieh central prison to Syria on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 [1].
The repatriation follows a judicial agreement between the two nations to return Syrian prisoners held in Lebanon. This move highlights the ongoing legal and diplomatic coordination between Beirut and Damascus regarding the management of detainees.
The transfer took place during the morning hours on March 17 [2]. Authorities moved the batch of prisoners from the Roumieh facility to the Yabous border crossing, located in the Damascus countryside [1, 2]. At the crossing, Lebanese officials handed the detainees over to Syrian authorities [1].
The number of prisoners involved in this specific transfer was 137 [2]. This process is part of a broader effort to implement the judicial framework established by both countries to handle the repatriation of Syrian nationals. The Yabous crossing served as the primary transit point for the operation [1].
Roumieh central prison is one of Lebanon's primary detention centers and has frequently been the site of complex prisoner transfers. The coordination between the two judicial systems allows for the movement of detainees based on their nationality, and the legal status of their cases [1, 2].
“Lebanese authorities transferred 137 Syrian detainees from Roumieh central prison to Syria”
The transfer of detainees under a judicial agreement indicates a functioning legal channel between Lebanon and Syria. However, the repatriation of prisoners to Syria often draws scrutiny from international human rights organizations due to concerns over the treatment of detainees within the Syrian prison system.
