May,12th 2002
Appeal Update: Dr. Mohammed Ghazi Hobaieb has been released
The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) has learnt that the Syrian authorities released Dr. Mohammed Ghazi Hobaieb (50 years) after detaining him for almost a month.
Syrian Authorities had arrested Dr. Mohammed Ghazi Hobaieb on 16/4/2002 upon his arrival in Syria, coming from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he lives and works as a chest consultant.
Dr. Hobaieb is a Syrian citizen from Homs, has been living outside Syria since the late seventies when he traveled abroad to study medicine. The issue why he did not return to Syria related to the absence of freedoms in the country. Nonetheless in a measurement to regulate his position, he made an application to the Syrian authorities, which was apparently satisfied and he was issued a permission to visit Syria. Despite this fact, he was arrested upon his arrival in the country. Nobody knew his whereabouts or the circumstances of his detention. It was highly feared that he could be subjected to torture or ill-treatment.
SHRC would like to thank all the organizations and individuals who mobilized to demand the release of Dr. Hobaieb. It also welcomes this positive step from the Syrian authorities and demands it acts to release all prisoners of conscience and to stop the abuse of citizens practicing their right of return to their country, it also demands that it puts a stop to the blackmail activities carried out by the security authorities towards those citizens.
BACKGROUND:
Urgent Appeal: Syrian Authorities Arrests Dr. Muhammad Ghazi Hobaieb