IS detainees freed against fees in Syria

The Guardian reporters asserted that in the north-east region of Syria, in prisons administrated by the Kurdish "Syrian Democratic Forces" (where more than 10.000 Islamic State's members or followers are detained), prisoners are regularly released against bribe sums paid by families.

Reports speak that detained Syrians without any judgement may pay about 8.000 USD for being released and they have to sign a declaration about renouncing to armed combat and leaving the territories controlled by SDF.
The precise amount of persons released within the so-called "program of reconciliation" is not yet known, but freed Syrian prisoners interviewed in Turkey have stated that since 2019, only from Hasakeh prison, a dozen have been released.

About 8.000 Syrians and Iraqis, plus other 2.000 foreigners are allegedly detained in northern crowded prisons, governed by SDF. Kurdish leaders have asked western partners to create special internationally recognised courts in order to weaken the pressure on Syrian prisons. Meanwhile, they often accept "reconciliation" deals with tribal chiefs, who guarantee that prisoners get rid of Jihad and return peacefully to their families. Nevertheless, a key condition is demanded for their freeing: not to be accused for bloody crimes against unarmed civilians.

Comments stated that these deals appear to be a sort of bribery and source of corruption, and they are a major security risk in Syria and abroad, because genuine murderers could be exempted of their crimes.

Released prisoners have declared that the access inside IS was free, but the give up is forbidden, because the person would be considered as "kafir" (sinner, unbeliever) and must die.

The realising process is not simple and a horde of SDF representatives should be contacted by detainees' families. One of them eventually paid 14.000 USD as bride, beside the official sum of 8.000 USD to the SDF finance department.