Journalist Ali Abdallah arrested again

Reporters Without Borders today called for the immediate release of Syrian journalist Ali Abdallah and his son Mohammad, who were arrested at their home in Ktene, south of Damascus, on 23 March without any explanation being given. “We firmly condemn the arbitrary arrest of Abdallah for the second time in a year,” the press freedom organisation said. “We are all the more concerned as we do not know what charges have been brought against him and his son or where they are being held. The Syrian authorities continue to abuse journalists and human rights activists with impunity.” Abdallah is a member of the Atassi Forum, the only political forum tolerated in Syria. He was arrested on 26 May 2005 for inviting the Muslim Brotherhood to participate in a debate on democratic change in Syria, and for reading out a letter from Ali Sadr Al Din Bayanouni, the head of the Syrian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, who is currently in exile in London. He was freed six months later, on 4 November 2005. Ali Abdallah writes for several Arab newspapers, including Al Nahar, Al Hayat and Al Quds En Arabi.