Death of Hamza Ali al-Khateeb
Hamza al-Khateeb | |
|---|---|
| حمزة الخطيب | |
| Born | 24 October 1997 |
| Died | 25 May 2011 (aged 13) |
| Cause of death | Torture and mutilation and/or gunshot |
| Nationality | Syrian |
| Known for | Detainment, torture, and murder that sparked Syrian protests |
Hamza Ali al-Khateeb (Arabic: حَمْزَة عَلِيّ الْخَطِيب; 24 October 1997 – 25 May 2011) was a 13-year-old Syrian boy who died while in the custody of the Ba’athist Syrian government in Daraa. On 29 April 2011, he was detained during a protest. On 25 May 2011, his lifeless body was delivered to his family, having been badly bruised and mutilated. Hamza's family distributed photos and video of the body to journalists and activists. Shocked by what was depicted, thousands of people showed their support for Hamza online and in street protests. The incident galvanised the nascent Syrian revolution.