Syrian Netizens Hail Whistle-Blower

SMN No. 4, June 30, 2010

A group of Syrian netizens have expressed their backing for an employee who was reportedly fired from his position for exposing alleged corruption at a state institution. Around 500 people joined a Facebok group in support of Azad Othman, an engineer at Aleppo airport, who is said to have been dismissed following his revelations of graft.

The group said that the director general of civil aviation in Syria issued the decision to discharge Othman, six weeks after an investigative article on alleged corruption at the airport was published.

Othman is believed to be one of the main sources in the article which claimed that millions of dollars were embezzled by officials working at the airport. The airport has not commented officially on the case.

The article was published first in a local newspaper, Al-Khabar, and later picked up by other publications.

The group said in one of its main posts that Othman was subjected to much “harassment and threats” and that he was beaten up in front of his house. Many members called on the authorities to begin an investigation into the corruption allegations at the airport. One member encouraged the engineer to present his case to the Syrian president.

In response, Othman wrote that he sent in vain numerous requests to meet the president and hand over documents that prove how high officials were allegedly involved in corruption.

In the past few months, several articles on alleged corruption at Aleppo’s airport have appeared online.

Another Facebook group, Enough Corruption in Syria, was also created recently. The group attracted tens of members in a few days and contained links to articles on alleged corruption.

In its description, the group said, “From the policeman on the street, the regular employee to the general director and high-up official, there are many corrupt people. It is time to say no to them.”