\n URGENT ACTION <\/p>\n
Amnesty International has learnt that ‘Imad Walid Kharsa, the brother of detained Syrian reporter ‘Adel Walid Kharsa, is also being detained and has been held incommunicado since August. It is gravely concerned that both men are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. According to information received by Amnesty International, ‘Imad Walid Kharsa<\/strong> was arrested on 24 August. He was seized from a house he was sheltering in near Hama, central Syria. <\/p>\n Witnesses told relatives that ‘Imad Walid Kharsa appeared to have been injured during his arrest. The reason why ‘Imad Walid Kharsa went into hiding is not known by Amnesty International. His family does not know which security force arrested him or where he is being held. They have received unconfirmed information through unofficial channels that he was transferred at some point to Damascus but have not been able to obtain further details. <\/p>\n ‘Adel Walid Kharsa<\/strong>, a freelance news reporter covering the protests against the regime, has been arrested twice in recent months. The first time was on 17 August when he was arrested at a house in Hama he was hiding in, following threats. He was released on 23 October following two months of incommunicado detention at the State Security-run detention centre known as Branch 285 in Damascus. He was rearrested on 31 October when he was stopped in a car at a Military Intelligence checkpoint in Hama. His family has had no information about him since his arrest. <\/p>\n Amnesty International is concerned that ‘Adel Walid Kharsa may have been detained solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression by working as a news reporter and covering events during the protests and the security crackdown in Hama. It does not know whether ‘Imad Walid Kharsa’s detention is connected with that of his brother. <\/p>\n Please write immediately in Arabic, English, French or your own language:<\/strong> PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 3 JANUARY 2012 TO:<\/strong> \n Minister of Interior<\/u> And copies to<\/strong>:
\n n Express concern that brothers ‘Adel Walid Kharsa and ‘Imad Walid Kharsa have been held incommunicado since 31 October and 24 August respectively and ask for their whereabouts to be revealed;
\n n Express concern that ‘Adel Walid Kharsa may be held solely for his work as a news reporter and noting that, if this is the case, Amnesty International would consider him a prisoner of conscience and call for his immediate and unconditional release;
\n n Urge the authorities to ensure that the brothers are protected from torture and other ill-treatment, and allowed contact with their family and lawyer of their choice, and provided with any medical attention they may require. <\/p>\n
\n <\/u>
\n President<\/u>
\n Bashar al-Assad
\n Presidential Palace
\n Al-Rashid Street
\n Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
\n Fax: +963 11 332 3410
\n Salutation: Your Excellency<\/strong> <\/p>\n
\n His Excellency Major General Mohamad Ibrahim al-Shaar Minister of Interior
\n ‘Abd al-Rahman Shahbandar Street
\n Damascus
\n Syrian Arab Republic
\n Fax: +963 11 311 0554
\n Salutation: Your Excellency <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n Minister of Foreign Affairs<\/u>
\n Walid al-Mu’allim
\n Ministry of Foreign Affairs
\n al-Rashid Street
\n Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
\n Fax: +963 11 214 6251\/2\/3
\n Salutation: Your Excellency<\/strong>
\n Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:<\/strong>
\n Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation <\/p>\n