The director of the General Authority of Forensic Medicine (GAFM) in Syria, Dr. Zahir Hajo, revealed in press statements an increase in the suicide rate in Syria this year. The number of suicides last year was 124. As for this year, up until now, there have been 87 reported suicides, which means that almost every two days a Syrian citizen commits suicide.
Hajo asserted that Aleppo is the city where most suicides occur, with 18 cases, followed by Lattakia with 13 cases, 10 in Damascus, and two in Daraa. Dr. Hajo added that the means of suicide differ with some hangings, 35 cases, followed by gunfire, 20 cases, followed by people falling to their deaths and poisoning.
Hajo said that despite the high suicide rate, Syria’s suicide rate remains one of the lowest in the world.
Regarding crimes, there were fifty deaths resulting from crimes between Jan. 6, 2020 and May 25, 2020. Dr. Hajo confirmed that last month was one of the bloodiest months when it comes to suicides and crimes in Syria.
Perhaps the only positive aspect of the spike in the crime rate is that criminal security, judges, and forensic medicine revealed details for 50 percent of crimes within 48 hours of their taking place, while key information about the rest of the crimes was revealed within a maximum of two weeks.
Dr. Hajo indicated that 70 percent of crimes are in areas that had been under the control of militants and were liberated by the Syrian army. For example, most crimes in Aleppo occur in the eastern areas that were under the control of militants, and where people saw a viable opportunity to commit crimes and take advantage of people’s lives.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
