Alerts in Syria
Syrian Dissident Released After Seven Years
Alert Update
Date: 07 August 2008
The economist, writer and dissident Aref Dalilah has been released from jail after being imprisoned for seven years on charges of ‘trying to corrupt the constitution, inciting armed rebellion and spreading false information’,. His release three years before the end of his sentence appears to be part of a Presidential amnesty, BBC News reported on August 7.
Syria, Teacher Released After Five Months Detention
Alert Update
Date: 16 January 2007
After five months of detention, Ali Sayed al-Shihabi, a 50-year-old English teacher was released by Syrian authorities on 9 January 2007. The teacher had been arrested the 10 August 2006 (Please see related NEAR Alerts) for posting articles on far-left websites. Reporters Without Borders (RWB) informs that he was freed under a presidential amnesty marking the Muslim Eid celebrations.
Syrian Writer and His Student Son Released After 6 Months
Alert Update
Date: 09 October 2006
Student Mohammad Abdallah and his father the journalist and writer Ali Abdallah, were released from prison on 4 October 2006. They have been in detention since 23 March 2006. They had been imprisoned for "criticising the state of emergency laws" in effect since 1963 and "insulting the president of the state security court".
Growing Health Concerns For Imprisoned Teacher
Action Alert
Date: 07 October 2006
Aref Dalilah, former dean of the faculty of economics of Aleppo University has been in prison dince September 2001, Amnesty International (A.I.) expressed its concern about his deteriorating health, he is 63. A.I. reports that he recently suffered a stroke and is now completely numb down the left side of his body, and his left hand and foot are swollen.
Teacher Still Held in Incommunicado Detention
Action Alert
Date: 06 September 2006
Ali Sayed al-Shihabi, a 50-year-old English teacher is held in incommunicado detention since 10 August 2006. Amnesty international fears for his health and safety. His arrested is probably linked to articles he has written specially on websites such as http://www.rezgar.com or Hiwar al-Mutamedn ('Civilised Dialogue').
Teacher arrested over blog-entry
Alert
Date: 30 August 2006
On 10 August 2006 Ali Sayed al-Shihabi, a 50-year-old English teacher was arrested for posting articles on far-left websites, especially: http://www.rezgar.com. He is still being held by the security services without being able to see his family. Reporters Without Borders calls for his release and informs that two other cyber-dissidents are currently imprisoned in Syria.
Law student and family arrested
Alert
Date: 31 March 2006
Since the 23 March 2006 Syrian writer Ali al-Abdullah and his two sons, Mohammed and Omar, and his nephew are in detention in Syria. No explanation has been given for their detention. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Syrian security forces had previously arrested Omar al-Abdullah, a law student and the son of Ali al-Abdullah, on 18 March for his criticism of the continuation of the emergency law.
Law student and family arrested
Alert
Date: 31 March 2006
Since the 23 March 2006 Syrian writer Ali al-Abdullah and his two sons, Mohammed and Omar, and his nephew are in detention in Syria. No explanation has been given for their detention. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Syrian security forces had previously arrested Omar al-Abdullah, a law student and the son of Ali al-Abdullah, on 18 March for his criticism of the continuation of the emergency law.
Kurdish Student Imprisoned for Three Years for Using Internet
Action Alert
Date: 12 October 2004
Massud Hamid (please see related NEAR alerts), has been sentenced to three years in prison. Hamid a journalism student and member of Syria's Kurdish minority, was found guilty of "belonging to a secret organisation" and "attempting to incorporate part of Syria's territory into a third country." Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for his immediate release, saying "the trial was completely unwarranted as he was simply exercising his right to circulate information freely on the Internet.
Student in Solitary Confinement for Use of Internet to Appear before Supreme Security Court
Alert
Date: 22 July 2004
Massud Hamid, a 29-year-old Kurdish journalism student, is due to appear before the Syrian Supreme State Security Court on 25 July 2004, to face charges of "belonging to an illegal organisation". Reporters Without Borders has called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to release Massud Hamid and other four imprisoned cyber-dissidents.
School children arrested and Students Expelled from Syrian University
Action Alert
Date: 14 April 2004
Amnesty International reported that four Kurdish school children were arrested by members of the political security department at al-Talane' school, in the city of Qamishli, north-eastern Syria on 6 April 2004 . They were taken to a detention centre in the town of al-Hasaka, about 80km away. In addition, at least 24 Kurdish students have been expelled from their universities and dormitories in March 2004.
Call to Release Detained Student
Alert
Date: 16 February 2004
Reporters Without Borders has issued an alert calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to immediately release Massud Hamid, a journalism student and photographer who has been held in incommunicado detention since 24 July 2003 in Adra prison, near the capital, Damascus. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Police arrested Mr Hamid, aged 29, on 24 July 2003 while he was writing an exam at Damascus University.