ALBAWABA - Druze Sheikh Raed al-Matni died under torture days after his arrest by Syria's National Guard forces, who are Druze factions linked to Druze Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, local sources confirmed to Syria TV.
Syrian Druze Sheikh Raed al-Matni, a highly regarded religious figure, was arrested by the National Guard after he was accused of "collaborating with the Syrian government" and died in custody. His body was transferred to the Sweida National Hospital.
Druze Sheikhs Raed al-Matni and Maher Falhout were arrested by Hikmat al-Hijri's forces in Sweida and killed, according to state-run TV channel Alikhbariah, citing unnamed sources.
Video: Druze Sheikh Raed al-Matni's mustache cut:
Days ago, activists in Sweida had previously circulated a video on social media showing militia members "torturing" Druze Sheikh Raed Al-Matni after his arrest and "shaving his beard and mustache."
Social media users were angered by the clip and accused the "National Guard" militia of committing an "unjustified violation".
Many others said that Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri's forces have insulted the Druze community in this way.
Sources revealed that tensions among Druze religious authorities and sheikhs in Sweida were fueled following the collapse of the Assad regime last December, due to different positions they hold on their relationship with the transitional government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
