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From the New York Post: The prisoner CNN helped free from a secret facility in Syria was actually a notorious member of Bashar al-Assad’s forces known to torture those who refused to pay him off, according to a shocking local fact check.
The network went viral last week with footage of the startled prisoner being led from the prison by journalist Clarissa Ward, who called it “one of the most extraordinary moments I have witnessed” in her 20 years of reporting.
But “independent and unbiased” fact-checkers Verify-Sy published a detailed report Sunday saying that the seemingly innocent prisoner was actually Salama Mohammad Salama — a first lieutenant in Syrian air force intelligence with a long history of alleged war crimes.
“We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity,” CNN acknowledged to The Post. “We are continuing our reporting into this and the wider story.”
The man first claimed his name was Adel Ghurbal, and said he was arrested three months earlier and left behind when the facility was abandoned. He also claimed he had not been given food or water for three days.
CNN posted dramatic footage of the moment they “discovered” a Syrian “prisoner” allegedly left behind in the prison, and claimed he was alone and unaware the Assad regime had fallen.
The video has now been slapped with a “community note.”
“You’re okay, you’re okay.”
A remarkable moment as CNN’s @clarissaward and her team find a Syrian prisoner left behind in a secret prison, alone and unaware the Assad regime was no more. pic.twitter.com/Cz6TBWHvts
— Lauren Cone (@LConeCNN) December 11, 2024
Ward and the CNN net work are now being mocked over the report.
In Clarissa Ward’s nearly 20 years as a “journalist,” this is one of the most unbelievable moments ever, though there have been others. It is impossible for the viewer to know if CNN staged this or Ward’s hosts from the al-Julani regime planted the “prisoner” for Ward to…
— Laurence (Larry) Boorstein (@LarryBoorstein) December 13, 2024
The man from our report, reunited with a family member. https://t.co/jQ8om9APzM
— Clarissa Ward (@clarissaward) December 14, 2024
Below is a longer version of the report aired by CNN, which many are now mocking, noting it’s all fake.
“I think this is one of the most extraordinary things I’ve witnessed in my career” CNN’s @clarissaward‘s team free a man held captive in a secret #Syrian jail for three months.
He said he had no idea Assad’s regime had fallen.
Watch Clarissa’s incredible reporting.⬇️ pic.twitter.com/SqMxPMBluW
— Julia Chatterley (@jchatterleyCNN) December 11, 2024
Later Monday afternoon, Ward then admitted, “We can confirm the real identity of the man from our story last Wednesday as Salama Mohammed Salama.”
We can confirm the real identity of the man from our story last Wednesday as Salama Mohammed Salamahttps://t.co/wb77EEMbnT
— Clarissa Ward (@clarissaward) December 16, 2024
CNN is being blasted on social media over the report, which many are accusing of being staged.
This is the worst propaganda I’ve ever seen.
Low even for you guys.
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) December 12, 2024
This is why nobody takes your network seriously. Fake and staged.
— Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) December 12, 2024
FAKE NEWS
— Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) December 12, 2024
This dude didn’t spend 24 hours in that place let alone 3 months. Why does @CNN continue to lie? pic.twitter.com/8De9GzOkJR
— Kat (@KatManDoToo) December 12, 2024
Stop. You’re embarrassing yourself. This was fake and staged and everybody knows it.
— Kate (@kate_p45) December 13, 2024
Oh man… That is so fake! How is he so clean?? Sleeping on the floor but not even dusty or dirty. No grime or dirt or sweat marks around his jacket collar, which would have soaked up loads… No squinting or adjustment of the eyes. Reasonably well kept hair and facial hair……
— Nick Baker 🏴 (@Nick_Baker777) December 12, 2024
Wait a minute! Why were they initially talking to him in English?? What do you mean ‘is someone there?’. That is so weird. How does that allay anxiety? Come on, not everything needs to be a production priority!
— Ahmed Sewehli (@LibyanIntegrity) December 12, 2024
Why is the cell so clean?
How did he not hear the guard shooting the lock on the door?
Why did he look so “fresh” when he stood up?
How did he not die after going four days without water?I have so many questions. This was definitely staged.
— Cillian (@CilComLFC) December 12, 2024
This is why your network is losing to the Food Network. Fake garbage like this.
How about going to NC and covering how the flood victims are being shafted by our own government
— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) December 12, 2024
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