'Arabji and Dekalbab Facing Unfair Trials in Syria, Charges Amnesty International

'Arabji and Dekalbab Facing Unfair Trials in Syria, Charges Amnesty
International

Human Rights Group Urges Syrian Authorities to Drop Charges, Uphold Freedom of
Expression

WASHINGTON, June 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kareem 'Arabji and Muhammad
Dekalbab are to appear in court in Syria on June 8 and 9 respectively in
trials which could lead to them being sentenced to imprisonment for exercising
their right to freedom of expression, Amnesty International said today.

The organization believes they are likely to be prisoners of conscience, who
should be released immediately.

"The trials of 'Arabji and Dekalbab are part of a broader and ongoing campaign
by the Syrian authorities to silence peaceful advocates of reform and others
who may express ideas that do not conform to those of the state," said Amnesty
International.

Kareem 'Arabji, aged 30, a business consultant, is due to appear before the
Supreme State Security Court (SSSC) on June 8. 'Arabji was arrested by Syria's
Military Intelligence on June 7, 2007. He has been held with no access to the
outside world for almost a year, during which time he may have been tortured.

'Arabji was charged with "broadcasting false or exaggerated news which would
affect the morale of the country." Amnesty International believes the charge
is related to his moderating of the Internet youth forum Akhawia, as well as
his postings on it.

Muhammad Bedia' Dekalbab, aged 59, a member of the unauthorized National
Organization for Human Rights, is due to be appear before the Military Court
in Damascus on June 9. Dekalbab was arrested on March 9, 2008 and charged with
"spreading false or exaggerated information... that may undermine the prestige
of the state," based on an article he wrote criticizing the lack of freedom of
expression in Syria.

Trials conducted before the SSSC and military courts are routinely unfair and
cases are often based on vaguely worded charges that are interpreted extremely
broadly by the Syrian authorities. In addition, "confessions" obtained through
torture and ill-treatment are accepted as evidence in them.

"'Arabji and Dekalbab are at great risk or receiving grossly unfair sentences,
given the Syrian security courts' record of handing down stiff penalties for
individuals who may disagree with the policies of the ruling Ba'th Party,"
said Amnesty International.

"We urge the Syrian authorities to release both men, as well as all others
detained for speaking their mind."

Background:

Among many others detained in Syria on account of their expressed views is
Habib Saleh, a writer and peaceful advocate of reform, who was arrested on May
7, 2008, and has been held at an unknown location with no access to the
outside world. The arrest of Saleh, adopted twice as a prisoner of conscience
by Amnesty International, is thought to relate to comments he published on the
Internet.

On May 10, 2008, Tariq Bayassi, the owner of a computer store, was sentenced
after an unfair trial before the SSSC to three years' imprisonment based on
comments he posted on the Internet deemed critical of the authorities. He was
convicted of affecting "the morale of the country" and "weakening nationalist
sentiments".

On April 7, 2008, Firas Sa'ad, a poet, was sentenced before the SSSC to four
years' imprisonment. The conviction is believed to have been based on articles
he had written on the Internet concerning the 2006 conflict between Hizbullah
and Israel, and on the imprisoned writer Michel Kilo.

Michel Kilo himself was sentenced on May 13, 2007 to three years' imprisonment
before the Criminal Court in Damascus, convicted of affecting "the morale of
the country" based on his signing an open petition concerning Syrian-Lebanese
relations.

On April 23, the First Criminal Military Court in Damascus found Kamal
al-Labwani guilty of "broadcasting false or exaggerated news which would
affect the morale of the country." The sentence has been added to the 12-year
term he is already serving on account of his work in advocacy of peaceful
reform in the country.

SOURCE Amnesty International

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