Prominent Cleric Arrested

Dr Salah Keftaro, a prominent Muslim cleric who heads the religious institution Abou Al-Nour, was formally accused of having illegal relations with outside parties, practicing a profession without a licence and misappropriating public funds, the website of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on July 2.



The son of Syria’s former mufti, Sheikh Ahmad Keftaro, the cleric was arrested on June 29, the website said.



The observatory called on authorities to grant Keftaro a fair public trial if there was any evidence he had committed a crime under Syria’s penal code or otherwise release him immediately.



Shortly before his arrest, Keftaro issued a statement accusing “extremist” clerics from the religious centre he presided over of making “malicious attempts” to undermine the authority of the current management of the centre and its support for a “religious awakening movement”.



Keftaro’s brother, Sheikh Mahmoud, was also held in custody in May for 13 days after being accused of having “contacts with western embassies”.