When the Assad regime fell in December 2024, opposition forces opened prison doors across Syria. For many, Assad’s demise was both a shock and a moment of long-awaited freedom. Yet for those who had endured years of torture, the scars – both physical and emotional – remain. How did they survive the unimaginable?

On this week’s episode of Now You Know, we talk to Maysaa Al Hassan. She was freed after 11 years in prison. She shares her experience of survival, and why she’s speaking out now: to seek justice for herself and for the countless women who endured Syria’s brutal prison system.

In this episode:
Maysaa Al Hassan, Former Syrian Prisoner 

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson. 

Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement.

Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan. 

Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

When the Assad regime fell in December 2024, opposition forces opened prison doors across Syria. For many, Assad&rsquo;s demise was both a shock and a moment of long-awaited freedom. Yet for those who had endured years of torture, the scars &ndash; both physical and emotional &ndash; remain. How did they survive the unimaginable?
On this week&rsquo;s episode of Now You Know, we talk to Maysaa Al Hassan. She was freed after 11 years in prison. She shares her experience of survival, and why she&rsquo;s speaking out now: to seek justice for herself and for the countless women who endured Syria&rsquo;s brutal prison system.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Maysaa Al Hassan, Former Syrian Prisoner&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.&nbsp;
Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement.
Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.&nbsp;
Jo de Frias is Now You Know&rsquo;s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera&rsquo;s head of audio.&nbsp;
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on <a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram, </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.threads.net/@ajepodcasts">Threads</a> and <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTxNCl3jdgd7ZAcZkBrQdRH0&amp;si=ASC-iSWKpqZVpnmn">YouTube</a>

Now You Know is a series from Al Jazeera Podcasts dedicated to amplifying women’s voices, stories, and, at times, some pretty uncomfortable topics. This is a safe space where we go all in so that by the end of each episode, you can say, Now I know. 
We dive into topics ranging from women in film, finance, sport, health, and career ambition. We talk to women who keep the ladder down so that the girls who follow in their footsteps can climb up.

Now You Know is conversation-driven. Host Samantha Johnson meets people from around the world who share their experiences so that others can learn to keep themselves healthy or be inspired to achieve their own goals.

 

Now You Know is a series from Al Jazeera Podcasts dedicated to amplifying women&rsquo;s voices, stories, and, at times, some pretty uncomfortable topics. This is a safe space where we go all in so that by the end of each episode, you can say, Now I know.&nbsp; We dive into topics ranging from women in film, finance, sport, health, and career ambition. We talk to women who keep the ladder down so that the girls who follow in their footsteps can climb up.
Now You Know is conversation-driven. Host Samantha Johnson meets people from around the world who share their experiences so that others can learn to keep themselves healthy or be inspired to achieve their own goals.
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