Dozens 'tortured and killed in Syria detention centres'

88 people have died in detention in Syria during the past five months. 

Amnesty International says the use of torture in Syria has been "widespread" over many years.

Amnesty International has said it believes that at least 88 people have died in detention in Syria during the past five months.

It says those who died, including 10 children, were subjected to beatings, burns, electric shocks and other abuse.

The group says it believes all of those who died were arrested after taking part in anti-government protests.

Foreign journalists have been blocked from entering Syria and the reports could not immediately be verified.

The allegations, published in a report, come shortly after the Syrian government denied persistent reports of at least one mass grave being uncovered in the restive southern city of Deraa. More + video...

Don't miss: 

1. Syrian forces beat up political cartoonist Ali Ferzat... 
2. Syrian security forces throw dead bodies into river (Very graphic) 
3. Massacre in Syria as tanks attack Hama...(graphic video) 
4. Syrian crackdown leaves at least 121 people dead. Where's the outrage? 
5. This is what's happening in Syria (WARNING. Extremely graphic)    
6. Hamza Ali al-Khateeb,13, shot and had genitals removed before being killed ... 
7. Iranian snipers shooting at protestors in Syria? 
8. Bahraini poetess Ayat al-Qurmezi tells of torture while in custody ...