Hussam Luka, former Syrian spy chief, remains at large after Assad regime fall

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, rebels have been searching luxury apartments in Damascus for clues regarding the whereabouts of high-ranking regime officials.

One such investigation focused on Hussam Luka, the head of Syria's most powerful civilian intelligence agency, known as the Political Security Directorate. Referred to as "The Spider," Luka is accused of orchestrating systematic torture and atrocities. He is currently sanctioned by the UK, US, and European Union.

In an abandoned Damascus apartment, investigators discovered personal documents, photos of Luka with Assad, and a notebook containing numerous names, including doctors, military officials, and family members. During the early stages of the Syrian civil war, Luka's influence was noted in Homs, where he managed operations to reclaim rebel-held areas from government siege.