Human rights activist arrested by Damascus authorities over social media content - exclusive

Human rights activist and documentarian Hassan Akkad was arrested in Damascus on Wednesday, reportedly over social media posts calling on wealthy businessmen to honor their financial pledges for Syria's reconstruction. Akkad, co-founder and executive director of Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ), was detained after a complaint was filed by Syrian journalist Mousa al-Omar.

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This is a case that explains to us how the new authority uses Assad regime laws to prosecute opponents who don’t agree with them under Decree 66.

Bassam Alahmad of STJ told The Jerusalem Post that Damascus is utilizing the Assad-era Decree 66 to detain activists. This legislation penalizes slander, defamation, and content deemed a "crime against the Constitution," but critics argue it is frequently used to suppress journalists and activists critical of the authorities. "This is a case that explains to us how the new authority uses Assad regime laws to prosecute opponents who don’t agree with them under Decree 66," Alahmad stated, emphasizing the need for judicial reform.

Mousa al-Omar, who filed the complaint, told Al Jazeera that he regretted what happened to Akkad and had followed the legal path under cybercrime law, claiming all his pledged donations were paid. He added that he instructed his lawyers to drop the complaint. However, despite the public prosecutor Judge Hossam Khattab telling Al Jazeera that the case was dropped, Akkad reportedly remained in detention.

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I am sorry for what happened to Hassan as a result of his mistakes; I followed the legal path under the cybercrime law… Everything I pledged, amounting to $700,000 in projects and cash, was paid in the donations.

Witnesses claim Akkad was arrested at a cafe by plainclothes officers who provided no identification or warrant. Celine Kasem, an activist present at the meeting, expressed disappointment that the legal framework inherited from the Assad regime is still being abused. "The fact that we are still operating under the same legal framework inherited from the Assad regime is deeply disappointing," she stated online. "It is unfair to the sacrifices made during our revolution & to the people who suffered under these laws & regulations."

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The fact that we are still operating under the same legal framework inherited from the Assad regime is deeply disappointing.

Akkad, who also holds British citizenship, has a history of detention by the Assad regime for documenting anti-government protests. He is now reportedly facing multiple legal cases, highlighting ongoing concerns about freedom of expression and the use of old laws against activists in Syria.

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It is unfair to the sacrifices made during our revolution & to the people who suffered under these laws & regulations.