On 19 July 2011, Mr Al Tahhan was arrested at his home by two agents of the Aleppo Air Intelligence Branch who were wearing civilian clothes. During his arrest, these agents didn't present any judicial warrant nor did they give a reason for his arrest. They then took Mr Al Tahhan to an unknown location. Mr Al Tahan's fate or whereabouts remains unknown as the Aleppo Air Intelligence Branch refused to provide any information.

On 22 July 2011, Alkrama submitted an urgent appeal regarding Mr Al Tahhan's case to the Special Rapporteur on Torture and also informed the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and the protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

It is believed that Mr Al Tahhan's arrest is due to his peaceful activities in the current context of peaceful demonstrations in Syria. A number of other human rights defenders and political activists have also been rearrested in the same day as Mr George Sabra.

Alkarama is very concerned about his health and fears for his life, especially that Mr Al Tahhan is suffering from Prostate cancer, high blood pressure and is not being given his medication. Moreover, we are aware of the large number of deaths following torture which have occurred in Syria in recent months.

We are also seriously concerned about the repression of peaceful demonstrators and other activists deprived of all fundamentals safeguards. We therefore request the Syrian government to remedy to the situation by releasing all political activists in Syria and refrain from arbitrary arrests and torture.

To learn more:

http://www.discover-syria.com/news/6340