May 5 2005 Syrian human rights defender Aktham Naisse, President of the Committees for the Defence of Democratic Liberties and Human Rights in Syria (CDF) has had all charges against him dismissed following a much postponed trial process. Aktham Naisse had been charged with “opposing the objectives of the revolution” and “disseminating false information aiming at weakening the State,” charges carrying a possible 15-year prison sentence. He was originally arrested in April 2004 with regard to the charges which Front Line believes were fabricated because of his work for the protection of human rights in Syria. Front Line has called for the protection of all human rights defenders in Syria in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.