Online Campaigns Pressure Assad to Release Syrian Dissident
| May 2, 2012 |
Twenty one year old Syrian dissident Yara Shammas, arrested on March 7th, was released on bail on April 30, 2012. Shamas has been charged with violating ten articles of the Syrian Penal code, including article 298 which is punishable by death. Article 298 charges the defendant with attempting to incite civil war.
Shammas’ release comes over a month after the release of her peers who were arrested with her in a cafe in Damascus. Some believe that she was held after her friends release because she is a Christian and the Assad regime has an unofficial zero tolerance policy toward dissident activities among minorities. Others view her arrest as an effort to put pressure on her father Michel Shammas, a human rights lawyer.
Many credit online campaigning with Shammas’ release. Hundreds of Syrian activists on Twitter and Facebook have posted their opinions about Yara Shamas’ case and have created the hashtag #FreeYara to show solidarity with her.
Abed Alhamdou عابد @abedalhamdo
They accused you of treason, and communicating with enemy, and weakening the national sentiment, and providing weapons to the armed gangs, but in the next day they released you Yara!!
Many credit online campaigning with Shammas’ release. Hundreds of Syrian activists on Twitter and Facebook have posted their opinions about Yara Shamas’ case and have created the hashtag #FreeYara to show solidarity with her.
Abed Alhamdou عابد @abedalhamdo
بعد ما يتهموك بالخيانة العظمى وبالتعامل مع العدو وإضعاف الروح القومية وتوفير السلاح للعصابات المسلحة... تاني يوم بيتم الإفراج عنك #FreeYara
They accused you of treason, and communicating with enemy, and weakening the national sentiment, and providing weapons to the armed gangs, but in the next day they released you Yara!!
