The network confirmed on Monday that the man gave a false identity. CNN confirmed Monday evening that it was misled by a man who was freed from a Syrian prison last week while the network’s cameras were rolling.

The "prisoner's" true identity as a notorious torturer and extortionist was first established during an investigation by Verify-Sy, an independent Syrian news organization.

CNN acknowledged this week it had been misled by a man purporting to be a Syrian prisoner but who was, in fact, a former intelligence officer under the Assad regime. The outlet said in a report