The Syrian Supreme State Security Court (SSSC) held the first session on Sunday (26/11/2006) to try a group of eight youths detained by the air force intelligence since the beginning of the year.

Hossam Milhim, Ayham Saqr, Maher Isbir, Tareq Ghorani, Omar al-Abdullah, Diyab Siriyya and Ali al-Ali were interrogated and charged pursuant to two articles of the Syrian Penal court: Article 278, Section B, which states that all those who engage in actions, writings and speeches unauthorised by the government and expose Syria to hostile actions, or disturb the state's relationship with foreign countries, or expose Syrians to vengeful actions that may threaten citizens or their properties will be punished by temporary detention; and  Article 287 which states that every Syrian who spreads false or exaggerated information abroad, and which undermines the prestige of the state or its financial state will be punished by a minimum of six months detainment. The youth Ali al-Ali was accused pursuant to Article 287 only.

The detainees denied the charges made against them, confirming that the confessions extracted from them were extracted under torture and coercion. They also affirmed that their activities were peaceful and public. The court session was adjourned to the 14/01/07. It is also worth mentioning that the abovementioned youth were arrested because of their peaceful and public activities. Their families have been forbidden from visiting them.

1- Ayham Mohammad Saqr, Salamiyah, 1975, self-employed.
2-Ali al-Ali, Misyaf, 1984, Business Management student.
3- Alaam Atiyah Fakhour, Salamiyah, 1977, Diploma student, Fine Art Faculty
4- Maher Ahmed Isbir, Salamiyah, 1980, self-employed
5- Hossam Milhim, Dreikesh, 1984, Legal Studies student, Damascus University
6- Omar al-Abdullah, Rural Damascus, 1985, Philosophy student, son of activist Ali al-Abdullah
7- Diyab Sirriyah, Seidnaya, 1985
8- Tarek Ghorani, 1985, College Graduate.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) requests the Syrian Authorities to terminate all forms of despotic detainment, to drop all charges against the aforementioned citizens and to release them immediately.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
27/11/2006