A prominent political writer and opposition figure, Ali Al Abdallah was arrested at his home, while the armed forces were looking for his son Omar Al Abdallah.
(ANHRI/IFEX) – ANHRI condemns the arrest of Ali Al Abdallah, a prominent Syrian political writer and opposition figure, by the Syrian army on 17 July 2011 at his home in Al-Qatna district in Damascus, the capital.
A number of armed forces stormed the house of Ali Al Abdallah on the morning of 17 July. The armed forces were searching for his son, Omar Al Abdallah, a college student. When they did not find him, they arrested his father Ali Al Abdallah, who is suffering from health problems and has underwent heart surgery three weeks prior.
It is reported that Ali Al Abdallah, 61 years old, was previously arrested by the Syrian forces for criticising the Syrian-Iranian alliance and the policies of Bashar Al-Assad, the Syrian president. He was released in early June after having served four years in prison. He is also a human rights activist and member of the Syrian Society for Human Rights.
“The ongoing repression of activists and thinkers in such a manner eliminates all opportunities for dialogue and makes the situation more complicated, which leads to the continuation of demonstrations and protests,” stated ANHRI.
“The repressive policies of the Syrian regime indicate that it does not respect human rights and the values of citizenship and refuses to listen legitimate demands and is intent on fighting those who critise it.”
ANHRI calls on the international community “to more effectively put pressure on the Syrian regime to protect civilians and peaceful demonstrators”.
