CPJ urges Syria to clarify fate of two missing journalists in Raqqa
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday called on Syrian authorities to clarify the fate and whereabouts of two journalists who went missing in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa earlier this year.
According to the press freedom watchdog, German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann and Kurdish-Turkish journalist Ahmed Polad have not been heard from since January 18, when Syrian government forces advanced into the city during an offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The two journalists worked for the Istanbul-based Etkin News Agency (ETHA) and Özgür TV.
According to ETHA, Michelmann and Polad were last seen leaving a building affiliated with Kurdish Autonomous Administration alongside civilians fleeing the city. Witnesses said they were separated from the crowd and placed in a separate vehicle belonging to Syrian government forces.
“The disappearance of Eva Maria Michelmann and Ahmed Polad in Raqqa raises serious concerns about the safety of journalists working in Syria,” said Joud Hassan, CPJ’s Levant Program Coordinator.
Hassan called on Syrian authorities to urgently clarify the journalists’ status, including whether they have been detained, and to ensure their safety.
Serpil Arslan, editor-in-chief of Özgür TV, told CPJ that Polad had traveled to Raqqa to cover clashes as SDF forces withdrew from the city and reached an agreement to integrate their forces into Syrian state institutions, allowing Damascus to reestablish control over the area.
Polad attempted to broadcast live from the city as fighting intensified, but instead sent video footage shortly before communication was lost, Arslan said.
Michelmann’s brother, Toni Michelmann, told CPJ that the German journalist was detained by forces linked to Syria’s transitional government, adding that there had been no sign of life since her disappearance.
When contacted for comment, Omar Haj Ahmed, director general of press affairs at the Syrian Ministry of Information, said the ministry had no information about the incident.
Meanwhile, Morhaf al-Hussein, director of the Raqqa Governorate Media Directorate, said authorities were following up on the case.