ALBAWABA - Syria's 'Al Kaysar' series, which depicts real stories from infamous Sednaya Prison, has sparked nationwide controversy since the start of Ramadan 2026.
The Ramadan series, which consists of trilogies, each trilogy telling a different story, was halted from broadcast by the Syrian National Drama Committee following criticism and objections that escalated to street rallies and the outbreak of a popular movement condemning this act.
According to Syrians, the "Al Kaysar" series was labeled as unworthy and that it does not represent even the slightest level of the crimes of the defunct regime in Syria during the civil war.
It is worth noting that the first episode of the series gained over 2 million views on the official Al Adeeb Art Production channel on YouTube.
The series sparked outrage among the Syrian public for several reasons, most notably the public's belief that the suffering of detainees is too sacred to be turned into a trending topic or a means of profiting through advertisements and likes.
In addition, one scene caused widespread controversy in which actors heard cursing Abdul Baset al-Sarout, a prominent rebel figure during the Syrian revolution.
"Al Kaysar" series also depicted actors and stars who were pro-Bashar Assad playing the roles of prisoners and victims, fueling the anger of Syrians who lost their relatives inside the infamous prison.
