Watchdog calls on Turkey to release Syrian journalist

Ankara – The Committee to Protect Journalists is calling for the release of a Syrian journalist who has been arrested in Turkey.

Rami Jarrah told the AP late on Thursday via online messaging that he was detained while applying for a residence permit in the Turkish city of Gaziantep. He could not be reached yesterday. The reason for Jarrah’s detention was not known.

Jarrah co-founded the independent citizen journalist group ANA Press after leaving Syria. The agency provides footage and reports on the Syria conflict to international media.

CPJ coordinator Nina Ognianova said on Friday: “Syrian journalists like Jarrah, who have turned to Turkey for safe refuge, should be protected rather than subjected to detention and harassment.”

A Turkish Interior Ministry official could not immediately be reached for comment. — AP.