Security apparatus arrests North Press Agency editor in Syria’s Damascus
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – On Thursday, the security apparatus in Syrian capital Damascus arrested the journalist Bassam Safar, who works as an editor of culture department in North Press Agency.
The detention took place at a government checkpoint near the entrance of al-Dwel’iya neighborhood while Safar was on his way back to his house, according to an eyewitness who was accompanying him.
In addition to his job in the agency, Safar is a member of the Executive Office of the National Coordination Body, in addition to his affiliation with the opposition Communist Action Party.
This is not the first time Safar was arrested. Two weeks ago, while returning from the city of Qamishli, northeast Syria, he was detained for two days.
Additionally, between 1986 and 1991, he spent six years in prison as a result of his affiliation with Communist Action Party.
In a statement on Friday, the party demanded his release “immediately,” and the release of “all political detainees” in Damascus government prisons.
“This new detention is one of the security apparatuses’ practices in fighting freedom of opinion and countering the voice of each democratic citizen in opposition,” the statement said.