The military Court in Damascus sentenced the writer Ali al-Abdullah (arrested on 23/3/2006) to prison for 6 months, accusing him of spreading false news, and another 6 months in prison for ill reputing the state image . The jury then decided that the final punishment would be for 6 months, only to then order that he be released as he has already spent more than 6 months in prison.

The same court also sentenced his son Mohammad Ali al-Abdullah (arrested 30/3/2006) to 6 months in prison for spreading false news, and another month for instigating disorder. The judge then chose to combine the two charges and chose the more severe one, sentencing him to 6 months in prison. The military judge however, has also called for his release as he has spent more than 6 months in prison already.

Both father and son have also been declared innocent from other charges.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) congratulates the writer Ali al-Abdullah and his son Mohammad Ali al-Abdullah for regaining their freedom. SHRC also calls upon the Syrian Authorities to put an end to all types of arbitrary and oppressive arrests employed by the Syrian Security and Intelligence forces which does not lean to legality other than theirs and that of the illegal emergency laws which have been operating in the country for 43 years.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
4/10/2006