\nURGENT ACTION\n<\/p>\n
\nSYRIAN PRISONER RELEASED, BROTHER STILL HELD<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nAbd al-Rahman Hammada was released on bail on 27 June 2011 \n‘Abd al-Rahman Hammada was arrested on 30 April and held for \nWa’el Hammada is understood to be held in the custody of Air \nPlease write immediately in Arabic, English, French or your \n– \n \n<\/p>\n \n– \n \n<\/p>\n \n \n<\/p>\n \n– \n \n<\/p>\n \n– \nPLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 18 AUGUST 2011 TO:\n<\/p>\n \nPresident\n<\/p>\n \nBashar al-Assad <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nPresidential Palace\n<\/p>\n \nal-Rashid Street <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nDamascus, Syrian Arab Republic <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nFax: +963 11 332 3410\n<\/p>\n \nSalutation: Your Excellency\n<\/p>\n \nMinister of Foreign Affairs\n<\/p>\n \nWalid al-Mu’allim <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nMinistry of Foreign Affairs\n<\/p>\n \nal-Rashid Street\n<\/p>\n \nDamascus, Syrian Arab Republic <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \nFax: +963 11 214 6251\n<\/p>\n \nSalutation: Your Excellency\n<\/p>\n \nAlso send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to
\nafter spending a month and a half in detention. He was reportedly tortured
\nduring the first two weeks of his detention. His brother Wa’el Hammada has been
\nheld incommunicado since his arrest on 12 May. Amnesty International is gravely
\nconcerned for his safety.\n<\/p>\n
\nthe first six weeks of his detention in the custody of Air Force Security, an
\nintelligence agency with powers of arrest and detention, in Damascus. On 14
\nJune, he was transferred to ‘Adra prison, located in the outskirts of Damascus,
\nand remained there until his release. He is now back with his family but is
\nawaiting trial on several charges including “weakening national sentiment”
\n(Article 285 of the Syrian Penal Code) and “conveying within Syria false news
\nthat could debilitate the morale of the nation” (Article 286). According to
\nsources in Syria, these charges relate to his family relationship with Wa’el
\nHammada and sister-in-law Razan Zaitouneh, both peacefully involved in popular
\nprotests calling for political reform.\n<\/p>\n
\nForce Security. Amnesty International believes that he is a prisoner of
\nconscience detained for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and
\nassociation and his marriage to Razan Zaitouneh. He is also believed to have
\nbeen tortured.\n<\/p>\n
\nown language:\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Welcoming the release of ‘Abd
\nal-Rahman Hammada but calling for the charges against him to be dropped, as
\nAmnesty International believes they relate solely to the peaceful involvement
\nof his brother and sister-in-law in protests;\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Expressing concern about
\nreports that both ‘Abd al-Rahman and Wael Hammada were tortured in the custody
\nof Air Force Security and urging the authorities to investigate the allegations
\nand ensure that anyone found responsible is brought to justice;\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Calling on the authorities
\nto immediately and unconditionally release Wa’el Hammada as Amnesty
\nInternational considers him a prisoner of conscience;\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Expressing concern, in the
\nmeantime, that Wa’el Hammada remains held incommunicado, and calling on the
\nauthorities to ensure that he is protected from torture and other ill-treatment
\nand granted immediate access to his family, legal counsel of his own choosing,
\nand any medical attention he may require.\n<\/p>\n
\nyour country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:\n<\/p>\n