Syrian Child Fawaz Qetaifan Released after Being Kidnapped for 3 Months

Fawaz Qetaifan, a six-year-old Syrian boy who was kidnapped on his way to school in Deraa three months ago, returned to his parents Saturday night.

Muhammad Qetaifan, the child's father, revealed that the kidnappers put Fawaz in a pharmacy in the city of Nawa, west of Daraa, after they paid the ransom, according to reports.

https://twitter.com/christonowens/status/1492590987629191175

The boy was released after paying a ransom of about $140,000.

On its part, the Ministry of Interior posted a picture of Daraa Governorate Police Commander, Brigadier General Dirar al-Dandal, with the child after being released, affirming that he is in good health.

Fawaz was kidnapped last November while walking to school with his sister in their home village of Itmaa in Deraa, southern Syria, as two motorbikes pulled up alongside them.

The abduction captured the world’s attention in recent days after video footage surfaced on social media showing the boy, stripped to his underwear, being savagely beaten by his kidnappers.

https://twitter.com/AkbarKh83841986/status/1490711048881860614

In the shocking video, the boy can be heard crying: “For Allah’s sake stop hitting me.”

In solidarity with his cause, activists on social media launched a hashtag with the title #SaveFawazAlQatifan, urging everyone to help him return back home.