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Journalist Arrested by Security Forces in Aleppo: Ongoing Repression Despite Claims of Change
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Syrian journalist Ghaith Al-Sayed continues to resist the systematic injustice faced by the Syrian people, calling for real reforms to end the authoritarian practices of the security apparatus
In a social media post, Syrian journalist Ghaith Al-Sayed revealed harrowing details about his arrest and beating by security forces at the "Bab Al-Nasr" police station in Aleppo, reviving memories of the repressive practices of the former regime.
Initially, Ghaith was arbitrarily arrested after security forces forced the workers at his kiosk to shut it down under the pretext of lacking a permit—despite other kiosks in the area operating without scrutiny. When he tried to reason with the officers, the security patrol showed no interest in legal procedures or permits. Their response to his question about the eviction order was blunt: "A verbal order," with no official documentation provided.
What shocked and angered Ghaith was that the officers, unsatisfied with silencing his respectful objections, began physically assaulting him as soon as he identified himself as a journalist. When they asked, "What do you do for a living?" and he replied, "I’m a journalist," they struck him in the face, mocking, "A journalist? Haha." The beating continued, accompanied by degrading remarks linking journalism to "security issues" and political detentions.
The brutality escalated when his brother, Mohammed, was beaten merely for asking to see an official written order, while his other brother, Ahmed—who suffers from a leg injury—was screamed at and insulted for being unable to stand straight.
Despite Ghaith’s attempts to remain calm and adhere to the law, the pressure intensified until he was forcibly taken to the police station. Inside, the interrogation was nothing more than an attempt to fabricate charges against him. The investigator accused him of "engaging in security-related dialogue" but failed to provide any evidence. Instead, the questioning shifted to baseless accusations against one of his friends for making statements—a claim Ghaith firmly denied, maintaining that he could not be held responsible for others' words.
Expecting a fair investigation based on legal procedures, Ghaith was stunned by an additional unjust ruling: the removal of his kiosk, despite all other kiosks in the area operating without permits. It seemed that those with connections and loyalty were allowed to continue their work, while those operating honestly and within the law were punished.
In his post, Ghaith delivered a powerful message to the authorities, vehemently rejecting the return of repression and humiliation. He stressed that what happened to him was part of Syria’s long history of systemic injustice, emphasizing that the Syrian people deserve better after losing their homeland, their martyrs, and thousands to arbitrary detention and forced disappearances.
Ghaith affirmed that a new Syria must be built on justice and dignity, with accountability for all violators and no tolerance for tyranny or corruption. His stance is not just a personal rejection of his ordeal but a call to all Syrians to unite in building a future free from oppression and injustice.
