International press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders (RWB) on Friday deplored the Syrian judiciary's treatment of renowned journalist and activist Mazen Darwish, who has been detained without a verdict since February 2012, along with several colleagues.
The Syrian courts again postponed a verdict November 5 against Darwish, who was arrested on charges of "publicising terrorist acts" when he was head of the "Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression" in 2012.
Darwish, the recipient of RWB's Press Freedom Prize in 2012, was arrested along with two colleagues, Hani Al-Zaiyati and Hussain Hurrier, and 12 other staff members from the Media Centre, RWB recalled in a statement.
Since then, the Syrian courts have regularly postponed judgment in the case.
"These adjournments illustrate the dire state of freedom of information in Syria," Reporters without borders said.
"The case of Mazen Darwish is symbolic of the many journalists, (internet) bloggers and activists still held in Syrian jails merely for lawfully doing their jobs." RWB and 78 other organizations have already called for the immediate and unconditional release of Darwish and his colleagues in a joint appeal to the Syrian authorities on 5 September last.
Some 20 civil society activists, human rights campaigners, journalists and aid workers are still arbitrarily held in detention in Syria, months after a general amnesty was declared in June, RWB remarked.
Syria remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. It is ranked 177th of 180 countries in the 2014 "World Press Freedom index" compiled by Reporters Without Borders.
GMT 01:15 2018 Wednesday ,24 January
Bollywood actor gets engaged to long-time girlfriendGMT 08:31 2018 Monday ,22 January
Candypants appoints JPR Media GroupGMT 23:09 2018 Saturday ,20 January
Famed photographer Mario Testino accusedGMT 22:22 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Lebanon bans Spielberg film and adventurer biopicGMT 19:44 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Michael Douglas, James Franco denyGMT 19:39 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Hollywood gets party season startedGMT 11:08 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Facebook agrees to widen probe of Brexit vote fake newsGMT 15:30 2018 Monday ,15 January
George Clooney to make TV return for 'Catch-22' miniseriesMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor