The Syrian Security Intelligence in the city of Hama has arrested the youth Bassam Zakia (born 1983) on 17/11/2008, three months following his arrival in the country. He had arrived to Syria from Jordan in order to obtain a visa that would allow him to work in Saudi Arabia.

Bassam had contacted the Syrian Embassy in Jordan and obtained a visit permit. After his arrival to Hama however, the military security intelligence called him to their office several  times, consequently arresting him on the above mentioned date. .

Bassam Zakia’s father is an elderly man who suffers from numerous diseases and critical health conditions. Bassam’s reason for going to Syria to obtain a Visa to Saudi Arabia was to help his parents and family, who are in dire need of him due to his father’s health complications.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) calls upon the Syrian authorities to immediately release the youth Bassam Zakia and stop all measures of arbitrary arrest committed against him, and to be considerate of the humanitarian and financial difficulties that his family endure. .

SHRC also calls upon all human rights societies and advocates to work for the immediate release of Bassam Zakia and to return him to his family who are in urgent need of his help. SHRC also points out that the youth mentioned has not committed any crime, and that the Syrian Authorities must not detain him, seeing as he entered the country with a legal approval and document issued by the Syrian Embassy in Jordan which protects him from both arrest and interrogation calls.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
19/12/2008