The Military Criminal Court in Damascus condemned today (4/7/2010) the lawyer and well-known human rights activists Haytham al-Maleh to THREE YEARS in prison being accused of spreading false news that weaken the morals of the nation.

The former president of the Syrian association of Human Rights Mr. Haytham al-Maleh was arrested on 14/10/2009 because of relaying statements on corruption to a Syrian satellite channel operating from Europe. He was detained in Damascus central prison in Adra in conditions worse than those of the criminal prisoners despite his advanced age.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee considers the issued verdict against Haytham al-Maleh is extremely unfair and oppressive, and aimed in the first place to punish and have revenge on the elderly 80 years human rights defender, who endured for his activities many years in prison on several occasions.

SHRC requests his immediate and unconditional release and to honour him for his relentless consistent activity to defend human rights on both the local and international levels.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
4/7/2010