Bilal Shahadi

The cell always smelled like sewage, and there was this kind of layer of grime across the floor and the walls.

The cell always smelled like sewage, and there was this kind of layer of grime across the floor and the walls.

In the best way, you will take bigger slices.

In the best way, you will take bigger slices.

So the people didn't think about anything except the food. And every morning... OK, every day in our room, they take the names.

So the people didn't think about anything except the food. And every morning... OK, every day in our room, they take the names.

And said that they would usually put an iron rod between his knees. Okay, okay.

And said that they would usually put an iron rod between his knees. Okay, okay.

If anyone, if they beat anyone, all said Naya heard the screaming.

If anyone, if they beat anyone, all said Naya heard the screaming.

And he spent most of the two years that he was in Sednaya praying to die because that felt easier than enduring the torture anymore.

And he spent most of the two years that he was in Sednaya praying to die because that felt easier than enduring the torture anymore.

They came a soldier to our room and they seemed afraid.

They came a soldier to our room and they seemed afraid.

He came to our room, and for the first time, he didn't call us animals.

He came to our room, and for the first time, he didn't call us animals.

Bilal turned his head.

Bilal turned his head.

I thought the regime make a decision that they will not beat us anymore.

I thought the regime make a decision that they will not beat us anymore.

I told him, I want to go to sleep. Don't lie to me. Why are you telling me this?

I told him, I want to go to sleep. Don't lie to me. Why are you telling me this?

He told him, here, listen.

He told him, here, listen.

Yes.

Yes.

The officer, the regime officer, he changed his clothes.

The officer, the regime officer, he changed his clothes.

And then he walks out of the prison gates.

And then he walks out of the prison gates.

He told me that he felt like he was dreaming this entire time, that he couldn't actually believe that he had been freed.

He told me that he felt like he was dreaming this entire time, that he couldn't actually believe that he had been freed.

It's like a happiness. Crying and hugging.

It's like a happiness. Crying and hugging.

This is what she said.

This is what she said.

And death certificates next to them.

And death certificates next to them.

I grew up here in this village, and it was actually good.

I grew up here in this village, and it was actually good.