February, 17 2015, 03:45pm EDT
For Immediate Release
CPJ Joins Call for Syria to Release Three Press Freedom Defenders from Jail
WASHINGTON
Three years ago, Syrian Air Force Intelligence agents raided the office of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression in Damascus, arresting all who were present. While some of those arrested were later released, Mazen Darwish, Hani al-Zitani, and Hussein Ghrer have been imprisoned ever since.
Darwish, a journalist and director of the center, and staff members al-Zitani and Ghrer were charged February 27, 2013 with "publicizing terrorist acts," but their trial before the Anti-Terrorism Court has been delayed repeatedly.
No date has been set for the next hearing, but their case is not forgotten. Yesterday-on the third anniversary of their arrest-the Committee to Protect Journalists joined 70 other organizations calling for the immediate release of Darwish, al-Zitani, and Ghrer. The full statement is available here.
The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.
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