Mazen Darwish, the director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, was arrested along with 13 others, when security forces raided the organisation's office in Damascus.
(CPJ/IFEX) – New York, February 16, 2012 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the arrest of fourteen journalists, bloggers and press freedom activists with the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM). The group has played a key role in getting out information about daily developments in Syria, as foreign journalists are virtually banned from the country.
“These arrests are a blatant attempt to close off a vital source of information not only for Syrians but for the international media,” said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney. “Anyone, whether a professional journalist or citizen with a mobile phone, who dares to report on the unrest in Syria is in danger of arrest or physical violence. Damascus should immediately release all those detained and stop its brutal crackdown.”
Mazen Darwish, the director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) was arrested along with thirteen others, when security forces raided the organization’s office in Damascus on Thursday, according to media reports. Among those arrested with Darwish was his wife Yara Badr, U.S.-born blogger Razan Ghazzawi, and freelance journalist, Hanadi Zahlout, according to regional news reports.
