Mr Al Sheikh, a candy seller who became activist

Before the peaceful uprisings in Syria, Abdul Basit Al Sheikh, an ordinary citizen of Aleppo and father of four children used to sell candies to survive. After the uprisings in 2011, he got involved in a local association supporting displaced and homeless people. This commitment has led him to be considered as a target by the Syrian authorities.

Arrest and enforced disappearance

On 15 May 2012, at noon, Air Force Intelligence agents stormed into the family's house to arrest him. They severely beat him up in front of his wife and children and stole some of the family's valuable belongings and money.

His family took many steps to try to locate him, but failed in discovering his place of detention as the authorities kept on denying his arrest and detention. His relatives, fearing for their lives, fled to Turkey where they currently live and remain unaware of their loved one's fate and whereabouts since then.

Alkarama expresses great concerns over Mr Al Sheikh's fate as he is at high risk of torture while being secretly detained, all the more as he has been reported to be in bad health condition, considering that he suffers from chronic disease. Thus, Alkarama called on the United Nations to urgently ask the Syrian authorities to release him or to put him under the protection of the law and to provide, in the shortest possible delay, information on his fate.