The social activist and author Riad Hammoud Darar (Deir Azzour) was released from prison today, 10/6/2010, following a detention which lasted five years, due to a speech he gave at the funeral of Sheikh Mohammed Ma’shouq al-Khaznawi who was abducted and assassinated by the Syrian Intelligence in May 2005. On 2/4/2006, the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC) sentenced him to five years in prison.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee congratulates Mr. Riad Hammoud Darar on his safe release from prison, and calls upon the Syrian Authorities to put an end to all repressive measurements taken against civil and political activists, and looks forward to the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, particularly those of the Damascus Declaration, some of whom have completed their sentences.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
10/6/2010