Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Statement by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vessela Tcherneva on the detention of Syrian human rights activist Mazen Darwish

We strongly urge the Syrian authorities to immediately release Mazen Darwish, who was arrested on Thursday, as well as to release all other political prisoners in the country.

We express our concern about the life and safety and Mr Darwish, his wife and the other detainees.

This act is the latest attempt by the Syrian regime to restrict freedom of speech through repression of its political opponents.

At the same time, the Syrian government is continuing hostilities against its own people. We strongly condemn the bombing the cities of Homs, Zabadani, Hama and Deraa. The regime in Damascus must cease immediately the killing of innocent civilians, which have included many children.