Wed Jan 08 12:15:36 UTC 2025: ## Syrian Ex-Detainee Leads Mission to Reunite Families Separated by Assad Regime
**BEIRUT, SYRIA** – Bassam Ezzedine, a former Syrian detainee who fled the country after witnessing firsthand the brutality of the Assad regime, has returned to help reunite families torn apart by the conflict. Ezzedine, who himself endured imprisonment and the disappearance of family members, is now dedicating his life to finding missing relatives of victims of the regime’s notorious prison system.
His efforts, documented in a new film “Close Up,” involve not only tracing missing persons but also gathering evidence of the Assad regime’s crimes against humanity. Ezzedine hopes that by bringing these atrocities to light, he can contribute to building a more just future for Syria. The documentary follows Ezzedine as he navigates the complex and often dangerous task of searching for the missing, highlighting the lasting impact of the Syrian conflict on countless families. The film’s creators, including director Feras Fayyad and producer Tierney Bonini, aim to shed light on the ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation in Syria.
First Piper 