Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb

Who was Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb?

Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb was a 13-year-old Syrian boy who died allegedly while in the custody of the Syrian government in Daraa during the Civil uprising phase of the Syrian civil war. On April 29, 2011, he was detained during a protest. On May 25, 2011, his body was delivered to his family, having been badly bruised, along with burn marks, three gunshot wounds, and severed genitals. Hamza's family distributed photos and video of his body to journalists and activists. Shocked by what was depicted, thousands of people showed their support for Hamza online and in street protests.