Political Prisoner Held After Jail Term

SMN No. 4, June 29, 2010

Syrian activists have launched online campaigns in support of a political prisoner who was kept in custody by authorities, despite completing a 30-month prison term.

Ali al-Abdallah, a Syrian author and journalist and a member of the Damascus Declaration opposition group, completed his sentence on June 17. He was convicted for attending a political meeting of opposition intellectuals and activists that had called for peaceful democratic reforms in the country.

On the last day of his sentence, Abdallah was sent to the bureau of political security, one of Syria’s many powerful intelligence services, instead of being released.

Human rights advocates said that Abdallah’s detention was extended because of an article he wrote from his prison cell criticising the rule of religious figures in Iran and statements he issued in support of the popular revolt against Iranian authorities over the presidential elections in 2009.

Abdallah will reportedly face a new trial on charges of “broadcasting false or exaggerated news that could affect the morale of the country” and “spoiling Syria’s relations with another country” – accusations often used against dissidents.

Abdallah had served several jail sentences as a prisoner of conscience. His son, Omar, is currently in prison on a five-year sentence for taking part in democratic youth activities.

In just a few days, more than 200 Facebook members joined a group calling for the immediate release of Abdallah. The group’s administrators lauded the dissident’s “humanity, courage, heartiness and boldness” and added that these qualities “scared” security officials. Most of the group’s members changed their profile photos with that of Abdallah.

One group member lamented the silence of Syrian society over the continued detention of Abdallah, saying that if this had happened in another country people would have protested. He accused authorities in Syrian of being “unjust”. Another one reposted a comment by a human rights organisation stating that one was not only barred in Syria from criticising the regime but also countries allied with it.

In his statement against the Iranian regime, Abdallah condemned the violent repression of the peaceful protests. He wrote that the Iranian authorities had lost their credibility after shooting at the people. He said that the incidents that followed the elections in Tehran in June 2009 should be a lesson to oppressed people that they could achieve
change by showing united, clinging to their rights and making sacrifices.