Suche
Mein Konto
Assad's cousin arrested for role in Syria protest suppression
Former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad's cousin Atef Najib was arrested for his role in cracking down on protests in 2011. Another step in the Syrian power struggle.
Assad's cousin arrested for role in Syria protest suppression
A relative of the former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who was involved in the suppression of the protests that took place in 2011 Uprising was arrested in Syria, as reported by the state news agency SANA.
Arrest of Atef Najib in Latakia
Atef Najib was arrested in the Latakia region, a stronghold of the Assad family, where some loyal supporters of the former regime have sought safety. Assad and his family fled to Russia last year when rebels emerged in the country.
International sanctions against Najib
Najib had already been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union over his role in the violent crackdown on protests in 2011. Protests against the Assad regime spread rapidly this spring after a group of children were arrested and tortured for writing anti-regime graffiti on walls in the city of Deraa. According to local witnesses, the children's fingernails were removed.
Inspiration from the Arab Spring
The children were inspired by the Arab Spring, which brought about political changes in several countries in the region, including Egypt and Tunisia. At that time, Najib was head of the Political Security Agency in Deraa. The parents of the affected children and prominent local representatives pleaded with Najib to release the children.
Inhumane threats
In her book The Home That Was Our Country describes Alia Malek: "They were told: 'Forget your children. If you want children, make more children. If you don't know how, bring us your wives and we will make them for you.'" The children were eventually released, but the military subsequently launched an attack in Deraa and protests quickly spread across the country.
Statements from security officials
A senior official gave directions on Friday at the new Security Directorate in Latakia, Lt. Colonel Mustafa Knaifati said Najib "is considered one of those involved in crimes against the Syrian people." This story is developing and will be updated regularly.