The Case of Journalist Samer Al-Ahmad – Assassination on Paper
- In January 2024, MHR NGO received a report from journalist Samer Al-Ahmad, which included a document stating his death, issued by the General Directorate of Civil Affairs in Syria. After a joint meeting during which MHR listened to Mr. Samer’s testimony, they informed the relevant United Nations body about the incident.
- Samer Al-Ahmad, a young Syrian national, currently 36 years old, engaged in peaceful activities opposing the Assad regime thirteen years ago when he was twenty-three. He worked on filming demonstrations and documenting violations. As a result, he was arrested by State Security and Air Force Intelligence during the years 2013-2014. After his release, fearing repeated arrests and threats to his life, freedom, and dignity, he left his homeland for Turkey.
- Since 2014 and up to now in 2024, Samer Al-Ahmad has been residing in Turkey with a temporary protection card. He has been active and working as a journalist and researcher on various Syrian issues. He participated in many television programs and produced numerous articles and studies published in both Arabic and English. His latest work includes a study on education in Al-Hasakah Governorate published by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and an article on the Institute Middle East titled “Syria is the Place Where the Conflict Between Wagner and the Russian Government Began” and another article discussing the attacks by Iran-backed militias and their threat to regional peace.
- During this period, several of his family members were summoned and arrested by the Assad regime’s security apparatus and by de facto authorities in the Qamishli area.