The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) has learnt from an informed source in the city of Aleppo that on Tuesday 22/1/2008, the Syrian Intelligence carried out a massive arrest campaign in the area of al-Sfeerah. Thirteen individuals were arrested as part of this operation, due to their Islamic tendencies.

Among the detainees, these have been identified so far:
1) Hamza Haaj Hamza (a second year Student in al-Fath Institute in Damascus, which is accredited by al-Azhar)
2) Hossam Qana'a (a fourth year student in al-Shariah Faculty)
3) Mohammed Reem (Primary School Teacher)
4) Barakaat al-Aswad (a Pharmacist)
5) Mohammed Moath Qana'a (a fourth year student in al-Shariah Faculty)

The computers and books of those detained were also confiscated. It is also worthy to note that some of the above were detained last summer, although their period of detainment lasted for less than a day.

SHRC calls upon the Syrian Authorities to immediately release the above mentioned detainees and put an end to the practice of arbitrary and despotic arrests; and if the detainees had committed any unlawful act then they should be brought before a normal court where they enjoy their freedom and full rights to defend themselves.

Syrian Human Rights Committee
26/1/2008