A Graphic Novel Reveals the Brutal Truth of Syria's Detention Survivors

One man's 26-year ordeal under Assad's regime becomes a haunting graphic novel. His vow to resist—and survive—now echoes in every page. The art doesn't show the violence. It makes you feel it.

, and Administrator

2026 May 31 . 2:01 PM

1 min read

The image shows an open book with a drawing of a group of people on it. At the bottom of the image,... — The image shows an open book with a drawing of a group of people on it. At the bottom of the image, there is text that reads "The Tragedy". The people in the drawing appear to be in a state of distress, with some of them looking downcast and others looking up in fear.

A Graphic Novel Reveals the Brutal Truth of Syria's Detention Survivors

A new graphic novel, Al-Fazia’: The Horror, brings to light the harrowing story of Akram Al Saud, a survivor of Syria’s brutal detention system. German comic artist Tobi Dahmen, known for his deeply researched works, has crafted a sensitive yet powerful account of Al Saud’s 26 years under the Assad regime’s repression. The book emerges from a Canadian research project pairing artists with survivors of state violence. Akram Al Saud was born in Syria and endured decades of oppression before joining the protest movement in Aleppo. His defiance led to persecution by Syrian intelligence, resulting in four imprisonments where he faced torture and humiliation. In his darkest moments, he vowed to himself: 'I will resist. And I will survive.' Eventually, he escaped to Europe.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates that over 100,000 people have died in Assad’s detention centres. Al Saud, now a reserved but determined advocate, speaks for those who cannot. Tobi Dahmen, whose previous work *Columbusstraße* won awards for its precision, approached this project with care. His visual storytelling avoids graphic depictions of violence, instead using subtle imagery to convey Al Saud’s trauma. The result is a comic that honours survival without sensationalising suffering.

Al-Fazia’: The Horror stands as both a personal testament and a broader record of Syria’s atrocities. Al Saud’s story, now shared through Dahmen’s art, ensures that the voices of survivors reach wider audiences. The graphic novel also highlights the ongoing work of projects that connect artists with those who have endured state violence.