Corresponding Kurdish and Human Rights sources have reported that Mr. Mohammed Sheikhmos Aali (54 years), also known as Sheikh Aali, was arrested on Wednesday evening (20/12/2006) when a Military Intelligence Patrol captured him from al-Nakheel Café near Baghdad Station in Aleppo and drove him to one of its interrogation branches.

Kurdish sources said that Sheikh Aali, Secretary of the Unity Democratic Party in Syria is a prominent figure in the Kurdish Political Movement who strives to democratically and peacefully acquire the recognition of the Syrian Kurds within the frame of the country's unity.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) considers the detainment of Sheikh Aali as an illegal, despotic and arbitrary act based solely on the laws of the State of Emergency imposed on the country 44 years ago, whilst the rules of the constitution and other civil laws which regulate the relations between the state and the citizens are made inactive. SHRC requests the abolition of the state of emergency and Martial laws, the immediate release of Mohammed Sheikh Aali and all prisoners of conscience and political detainees.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
21/12/2006