Syria says it has arrested kidnappers suspected of killing a Kurdish Muslim cleric, as thousands of Kurds gathered to mourn his death.
An unnamed official in the Interior Ministry told Syrian state media Wednesday that a criminal gang was believed to have kidnapped Sheikh Mohammad Maashouq al-Khaznawi three weeks ago.
Officials from the Yekiti Kurdish Party say hospital officials in northeastern Syria found signs of torture on the cleric's body, after it was recovered.
Meanwhile, thousands gathered in the northeastern town of Kameshli for a funeral for the sheikh, who disappeared after leaving the Islamic Studies Center in Damascus.
The incident sparked a march last month by Kurds demanding to know Mr. al-Khaznawi's whereabouts.
Kurdish leaders accused Syrian officials of holding the sheikh. Authorities denied the charge.