Al-Homsi trial postponed
Syria, Politics, 10/31/2001

The Monte Carlo radio correspondent in Damascus said that the Syrian criminal court has postponed considering the case of member of the Syrian parliament Mamoun al-Homsi until November 13th after lawyers asked for getting a complete copy for the file of the case.

The correspondent added that al-Homsi who was put in a cage beside other six persons convicted in crimes of drug trafficking and thefts denied accusations addressed to him which are his intention to change the constitution illegally and preventing the authorities from practicing assigned tasks inspired by the constitution. Al-Homsi denied that the statement he released and was the main reason behind his arrest is not in contradiction with the constitution and therefore he is committed to this constitution.

News reports said that al-Homsi chanted that he is " the son " of Damascus and the " son " of Syria for the sake of which he will sacrifice himself, adding " we were brought to the jail for the sake of freedom and we will be sincere with President Bashar al-Assad."

Lawyer Haitham al-Maleh considered the trial as in contradiction with the rule of the rules of the law because the door was closed in a trial which was described to be held in open. And this resulted in that he was prevented together with a second lawyer, as the two are assigned to the file of the case besides two other lawyers who were inside the trial hall.

However, diplomatic presence was remarkable especially by the embassies of Switzerland, the US, Holland, Belgium, Germany and the Norway in Damascus besides press correspondents and al-Homsi family were permitted to enter the trial hall.

News reports said that al-Homsi expressed his wonder over the accusations addressed to him by the authorities and refused the accusations addressed to him by the Attorney general, stressing that his statements which call for more political freedoms were repeatedly issued in the Syrian media and citizens were acquainted with them.

The defendant lawyers including lawyer Anwar al-Bunni called for postponing investigating al-Homsi. Al-Bunni said he had stressed to the judge at the beginning of the trial session that arresting his client ( al- Homsi) is not legal because al-Homsi was arrested before the license from the Syrian people's Assembly PA.

For his part, lawyer Baha ' al-Rakkad who also defends al-Homsi said that it is the first time in Syria when accused persons in political crimes are brought before ordinary court and considered that as a positive point " we hope to continue.."

Previous Stories:
  Seif- al-Homsi to be tried on Tuesday, Wednesday   (10/29/2001)
  Seven persons compete for one empty seat in the Syrian parliament   (9/28/2001)
  Some 35 Syrian intellectuals voice solidarity with al-Homsi   (8/22/2001)

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