Rebel leaders in Syria have accused President Bashar Assad’s forces of torturing a renowned artist to death. Soldiers are accused of murdering sculptor Wael Kaston, of the Marmartia suburb in Homs.

A statement from rebel forces said Kaston is survived by a wife and two children, ages 12 and 7. They also noted that Kaston was Christian, and accused Assad’s regime of failing to protect minorities.