Opposition Member Signs Coerced Statement

The security forces have forced a political prisoner to sign a statement attacking the Damascus Declaration, the group reported on July 28.



Damascus Declaration, Syria’s most powerful opposition force, said security forces arrested 26-year-old Hasan Qasem in Aleppo on July 9 because he was affiliated with the group.



Qasem was released on July 24, but two days later, pro-government websites published a statement from him saying he regretted joining the Damascus Declaration and renounced his support for it.



The pro-government Cham Press site argued that the statement was evidence that the opposition group was splitting and many more members were about to pull out.



The Damascus Declaration said Qasem was forced to sign the statement, and accused the Syrian media of relaying information from the security forces.



[Twelve leaders of the Damascus Declaration have been in prison for more than seven months. They face charges including membership of a secret association.]