ALEPPO, Western Kurdistan, — It is reported by the Kurdish Organization for Defending Human Rights and Public Freedoms in Syria – DAD that the third military investigating judge in Aleppo questioned Mohamed Saadoun, member of the Political Committee of the Kurdish Azadi Party in Syria, on 11 July 2010.
He was accused under Article 278 of the Syrian Penal Code, which states that the following people will be punished with a fixed-term of imprisonment:
(a). anyone who violates state provisions to ensure neutrality in the event of war;
(b). anyone who, without the approval of the government, commits acts, writes texts, or holds speeches that put Syria at risk of hostilities, strain Syria’s relations to another state, or expose Syrians to acts of revenge against themselves or their financial assets.
He was also accused of the offense provided for in Article (288) of the Syrian Penal Code, which states that:
(1). anyone who joins a political or social association of an international character or any similar organization without authorization by the Syrian government will be punished with imprisonment or house arrest for between three months and three years, and fined between 100 and 250 liras.
(2). anyone in the organization in question who carries out a practical task will be punished with imprisonment or house arrest for a minimum of one year and fined at least 100 liras.
Mohamed Saadoun was also previously arrested after the events of 12 March 2004.
The Kurdish Organization for Defending Human Rights and Public Freedoms in Syria – DAD calls for Mohammed Saadoun’s immediate release.