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Syria: Arrest and Disappearance of Mother and her Two Children
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On 3 November 2012, Mohamed Al Shebly was stopped at Al Bahaldeya Military Checkpoint, which is located at the entrance of Al Bahaldeya District, Al Seyeda Zeinab. He was arrested by Syrian military personnel in the presence of a relative, who later reported that the forces arresting him failed to indicate the reason for the arrest. Mr Al Shebly was last seen when he was taken away from the checkpoint, and has not been heard of since then.
On 28 March 2013, Ms Al Shebly was passing with a family member through Al Huseyna Military Checkpoint when she was stopped by Syrian military personnel. She was carrying her laptop and the military personnel took her away, indicating as a reason that they wanted to search her laptop. She was separated from her relative and her fate and whereabouts remain unknown since then.
Mrs Shabo, their mother, had been living with their family in Al Bahaldeya District for almost 20 years. After fighting broke out in the district a few months ago, the family sought relocation for security reasons. Mrs Shabo's husband fled to a nearby town, and Mrs Shabo went towards Al Yarmouk Camp. On 4 July 2013, she was passing through Al Bateekha Military Checkpoint, at the entrance of Al Yarmouk Camp. Mrs Shabo was then arrested by the forces manning the checkpoint, which are usually from the Syrian Military Intelligence or the State Security, and has not been seen or heard of since then.
Many individuals have reportedly been arrested at the same checkpoint as Mrs Shabo, and a significant number among them re-appeared at the Military Intelligence's Palestine Branch in Damascus. This leads her relatives to believe that she may also be held at this detention centre, which is notoriously known for severe torture and ill-treatment of detainees as well as its bad detention conditions.
Following Mr Al Shebly, Ms Al Shebly, and Mrs Shabo's disappearance, their family inquired about them at different security services in Damascus, but to no avail. To date, the Syrian authorities have failed to recognise detaining either of them and their fate and whereabouts remain unknown.
