The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) has learnt from a trusted source in the city of Homs, that approximately two weeks ago elements of the political Security Branch raided the national hospital in Homs and arrested a group of male nurses because of their religious tendency. They were arrested based on rumours conveyed by some female employees who act as informers, and driven to an unknown location. SHRC is in the process of identifying their names. The arrests and detention of those who are religious is still continuing, one of the most recent of them being Mr. Khalid al-Akhras, Director of the Nursing Unit. He is from the town of al-Qusair which lies in the South West of the province of Homs.

SHRC strongly condemns the widespread and continuous practice of arbitrary arrests which is increasing and spreading in recent times to targeting those who have religious tendencies, and calls upon the Syrian authorities to release all detainees including Khalid al-Akhras and to put an end to arbitrary arrests. SHRC calls upon the Syrian authorities to only refer those who have been accused of an illegal act to the specialised civil courts.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
29/7/2010