Syria: Court of Cassation rejects Muhanad Alhasani's appeal against conviction for "undermining national sentiment"
Front Line has recently learned that, on 31 January 2010, the Court of Cassation in Syria rejected Muhanad Alhasani's appeal against a decision by an investigating judge charging him with “weakening national sentiment” and “spreading false information that could debilitate the morale of the nation and harm the reputation of the state abroad”.
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As a result, Muhanad Alhasani will remain in detention and could be subjected to an unfair trial and a prolonged prison sentence. Such charges have been frequently used by the judiciary to target human rights defenders and political dissidents.
Prior to this, Mr Muhanad Alhasani was summoned before a disciplinary council within the Damascus Bar Association branch for “having chaired an illegal legal organisation that spreads lies or exaggerated claims without the endorsement of the bar association” in addition to “attending High Security State Court trials and recording their details without being an official representative or attorney in any of the litigation trials”.
The disciplinary board issued a decree dated 10 November 2009 disbarring Mr. Alhasani. This decision is considered as politically motivated and as punishment for conducting legitimate activities in defence of human rights.
Mr. Muhanad Alhasani, is a prominent Syrian lawyer and human rights defender, president of the Syrian Organisation for Human Rights “Sawasiya”.
The original Front Line Appeal is attached.