Grave concerns over Syrian human rights defender, Aktham Naisse's health, June 2004

Front Line has received reports that June 20, the family of Aktham Naisse, president of the Committees for the Defense of Democratic Liberties and Human Rights in Syria (CDF), were allowed to visit him in the Saidnaya prison where has been imprisoned since April 22, 2004.

According to Mr. Naisse's family, the interview was very short. Aktham Naisse has been paralysed since the beginning of his detention. He was “dragged” along by his guards out of his cell and brought to a place where his family only saw him briefly. He only had time to tell his relatives that he was detained in very bad conditions and informed them that he had begun a hunger strike. Front Line is worried about Mr. Naisse health as he is a diabetic and strictly requires daily medical treatment.

Mr. Aktham Naisse was arrested in Latakia on April 13, 2004 by military security. On April 22, he was charged with, among other charges with “propagation of false information and attempting the objectives of a revolution” by the Supreme Security Court of the State. Since then, he has been jailed in Saidnaya prison where he is placed in solitary confinement. During the first week, he suffered from a stroke, which left him partially paralyzed. His health, already precarious, is deteriorating and he is unable to receive the necessary medical treatment.