HTS arrests journalist in Syria’s Idlib
IDLIB, Syria (North press) – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly known al-Nusra Front), arrested on Monday a journalist in northern Idlib, northwestern Syria, on charges of inciting public opinion against the extremist organization, an HTS-linked official told North Press.
Since Jun. 18, HTS has been conducting campaigns of arrests targeting those who oppose its policies, including activists and journalists, on charges of inciting public opinion against the group.
The official – who works in the Salvation Government, the political wing of the HTS – said the HTS-linked General Security Service (GSS) arrested journalist Adnan al-Imam while he was heading to Idlib coming from Afrin, northwest Syria, which is under the control of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA). He was then taken to an unknown location.
Meanwhile, Ahmed al-Tallawi, a media activist based in the SNA-held city of Azaz in northern Aleppo, northwest Syria, revealed that the journalist had received numerous threats from HTS. After being informed that his legal status had been resolved with the assistance of an SNA faction close to the HTS, the journalist decided to travel to Idlib. However, HTS still arrested him.