Posted 2010/2/18
Syria: Court of Cassation rejects Mr Haitham Al-Maleh's appeal against decision by Supreme Military Investigation Judge
Front Line has recently learned that, on 31 January 2010, the Court of Cassation in Syria rejected Mr Haitham Al-Maleh's appeal against the decision by the Supreme Military Investigation Judge in Damascus to confirm the charges against him of “conveying false news within Syria that could debilitate the morale of the nation”, “insulting the president” and “insulting the judiciary”.
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As a result, Haitham Al-Maleh, 70 years old, will remain in detention and could be subjected to an unfair trial and prolonged prison sentence.
Haitham Al-Maleh was originally arrested on 14 October 2009 by Syrian security personnel in Damascus and had a preliminary military court hearing on 20 October.
Mr Al-Maleh is a prominent human rights lawyer and founding member and ex-director of the Human Rights Association in Syria (HRAS).
