Security Court Sentences Human Rights Activists

The Supreme Court of State Security passed jail sentences on two human rights activists on December 16.



The National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria, NOHRS, an opposition group, reported that the court sentenced Rami al-Sayyid to four years imprisonment for “spreading false news”.



Abed Salhab was sentenced to five years imprisonment on charges of being affiliated with a covert organisation that aims to change Syria’s social and economic structure, as well as instigating sectarianism.



NOHRS called on the judiciary to overturn the sentences and try the two men in a civilian court rather than a state security court.



The human rights organisation also reported that the authorities arrested and later released activists who held a sit-in in front of the state security court. Three Syrian Kurdish opposition parties had called for the rally, to protest against the trial of five Kurds accused of instigating sectarianism and the break-up of Syria.