Release of Syrian inmates in Roumieh prison on March 17, 2026. (Credit: Sarah Abdallah)
The process of transferring convicted Syrian prisoners from Roumieh prison to Syrian authorities started on Tuesday, the vice president of the Cabinet, Tarek Mitri, told L'Orient Today.
Last month, Lebanon and Syria officially signed the agreement on the transfer of around 300 Syrian inmates, who are currently imprisoned in Lebanon's overcrowded jails, back to Syria.
However, it remains unclear how many prisoners among these would be handed over to Syria on Tuesday. Lebanon's General Security was not immediately available to provide further details. According to Lebanese television channel Al Jadeed, six Syrian buses arrived at Roumieh prison for the transfer, accompanied by members of the Syrian General Security.
A total of 2,250 Syrian inmates are held in Lebanese prisons, including the 300 that would be released.
This agreement was a Damascus demand as part of discussions between the two countries aimed at improving their relations. The main element of the agreement stipulates that the transfer of inmates is limited to those already tried, provided that those convicted of the most serious crimes, such as rape and murder, have served more than 10 years of their sentence in Lebanon.
Therefore, Syrian prisoners awaiting trial are excluded, even though, in early discussions, Syria also requested their transfer. The agreement also provides for reciprocity for Lebanese nationals convicted in Syria and imposes strict conditions, including the inmate's written consent and the submission of judicial documents certifying the conviction and the sentence.
