Front Line is deeply concerned following the recent sentencing of human rights defender Mohammed Badih al-Bab to 6 months in prison in Damascus. Mohammed Badih al-Bab is a member of the National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria.

Further Information

Posted 02/07/2008 On 29 June 2008, Mohammed Badih al-Bab was sentenced to 6 months in prison at the military court number 6 in Damascus. He had been arrested on 2 March 2008 and charged under article 287 of the Syrian Penal Code for the “broadcasting of false news” deemed to be harmful to the state. The charges related to articles he has recently written, in which he criticised the Minister for Information, Mohsen Bilal.

In 2000, Mohammed Badih al-Bab was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment. He was released in 2005 following a presidential amnesty.

Front Line believes that Mohammed Badih al-Bab was arrested and sentenced as a result of his legitimate human rights activities. Front Line is concerned for Mohammed Badih al-Bab's psychological and physical integrity and fears that he may be subject to torture and ill-treatment in detention.