Syrian decree pardoning key opposition figures including Manna', al-Turk
Syria, Politics, 7/17/2003

A well-informed Syrian source said that a Syrian Republican decree was issued providing for full pardoning of several exiled and political detainees, Syrians as well as "opinion prisoners," including Haitham Manna' and Riad al-Turk.

The source which asked to be anonymous said that the decree stated the return back of Manna' -- the spokesman for the Arab committee for human rights who is now in France -- to Syria and to practice all his political and civilian rights unconditionally. The sources expected al-Manna' to return back to Syria in August.

The decree also stated releasing the Syrian opposition member and the former secretary general of the Syrian Communist Party, Riad al-Turk, who was arrested in September 2001 just three years after his release after he had completed 17 years in prison.

The decree also stated cancellation banning of several Syrians whose official travel documents will be given back to them, and be permitted to move freely inside and outside the country.

It was also officially announced the pardoning of the Human Rights Society chairman in Syria, Haitham al-Maleh, according to the Presidential decree. Al-Maleh is facing the charge of being a member in an unlicensed political party and disseminating information damaging to the state. Al-Maleh's lawyer said that dropping the accusation and the pardoning is considered a form of licensing the human rights league which he presides over.

Manna' praised the Syrian decree and described it as a positive step by the side of the authorities. In a press statement, he expressed his hope that the pardoning will cover all exiled Syrians and all political detainees and prisoners of opinion in the Syrian jails.

Manna' said that it is ripe time to work according to the content of the "Greater national panel" in which Syrian national and political leaderships demanded several reforms. He expressed his conviction that the motive behind this decree is Damascus' desire to withstand the foreign political challenges.

Previous Stories:
  Damascus: Presidential pardoning cover al-Maleh   (7/16/2003)
  Al-Shara - Ivanov joint press conference on Iraq and bilateral issues   (7/16/2003)
  Telephone talks between al-Shara, al-Faisal   (7/16/2003)

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