UN demands release of 'countless' people still arbitrarily detained in Syria

While numerous prisoners have been released from Syrian prisons since president Bashar al-Assad's ouster, "countless" others are still being held, the UN envoy for Syria said Thursday, demanding their immediate release.

"Countless children, women and men are still held arbitrarily in detention facilities under various authorities," Geir Pedersen said in a statement, adding: "They must be immediately released".