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Syria: School teacher disappeared by Air Intelligence agents
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Mr Hasan Bitar ( (حسن بيطار is aged 34 and works as a teacher. He is married with two children and usually lives with his family in Daraya, outskirts of Damascus. On 19 July 2011, six agents of the Damascus Air Intelligence Branch, who were wearing civilian clothes, raided Mr Bitar's house. They then arrested Mr Bitar, in presence of his family and children, before taking him to an unknown location. During his arrest, these agents didn't present any judicial warrant nor did they give a reason for his arrest.
On 1 August 2011, Alkarama submitted an urgent appeal regarding Mr Bitar's case to the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances and also informed the Special Rapporteur on Torture as Mr Bitar is at high risk of torture and ill-treatment during this disappearance.
The Syrian authorities refuse to acknowledge Mr Bitar's detention or to provide any information on his whereabouts. It is important to note that residents of Daraya organised many peaceful demonstrations in front of Muderiette Al Mentaka Police Station in order to get Mr Bitar's release as well as hundreds of detainees in Daraya.
Systematic pattern seems to be appearing of enforced disappearance and torture of Syrian demonstrators following their arrests. Alkarama fears for Mr Bitar's physical and mental integrity and urges the Syrian authorities to ensure that Mr Bitar is released or placed under the protection of the law as quickly as is possible.
