Lattakia, June. 16 (SANA)SyrianInternal Security ForcesinLattakiasaid on Tuesday they had arrested a former non-commissioned officer accused of involvement in abuses committed during the rule of thedeposed regime.

In a statement, Brig. Gen.Abdul Aziz Hilal al-Ahmad, head of Internal Security in Lattakia, said security forces detained Osama Mahmoud Hamouda, following what he described as an extensive surveillance and monitoring operation.

Authorities said Hamouda had attempted to leave Syria with the assistance of criminal networks before being apprehended.

The statement accused Hamouda of providing information to intelligence agencies, participating in arbitrary detention campaigns, and engaging in financial extortion.