DAMASCUS — When she heard the stunning news that rebels had brought an end to Syria's decades-old regime, Hayat al-Turki headed for a prison that had become known as a slaughterhouse, praying that her brother and five more relatives held there were still alive.

But after four days of wandering around the notorious Sednaya complex, she is still desperate for any clues about their fate in a prison that human rights groups say is known for widespread torture and executions.

"I sleep here of course. I haven't been home at all," she said. She had been hopeful of finding her brother, uncle or a cousin, she said, but they, like the relatives of dozens of other Syrians searching the prison, seemed to have disappeared.

The 27-year-old found a document dated Oct 1, 2024, listing more than 7,000 prisoners of various categories.

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