The Case of Journalist Samer Al-Ahmad – Assassination on Paper: A Report on Monitoring, Documentation, Characterization, and Reporting of a New Type of Grave Violation Invented by the Assad Regime.
In January 2024, MHR NGO received a report from journalist Samer Al-Ahmad, which included a document recording him as deceased, issued by the General Directorate of Civil Status in Syria. Following a joint meeting during which MHR listened to Mr. Samer’s testimony, the organization informed the competent body at the United Nations of the incident.
Samer Al-Ahmad, a Syrian national currently 36 years old, became involved thirteen years ago—at the age of twenty-three—in peaceful activities opposing the Assad regime. During that time, he worked on filming demonstrations and documenting violations. As a result, he was arrested by the State Security and the Air Force Intelligence services during 2013–2014. After his release, and fearing re-arrest as well as threats to his life, freedom, and dignity, he left his country for Turkey.
From 2014 until 2024, Samer Al-Ahmad has been residing in Turkey under a Temporary Protection Card. During this period, he has been active in his work as a journalist and researcher on various Syrian affairs. He has participated in numerous television programs and has produced several articles and studies published in Arabic and English. Among his latest works is a study on education in Al-Hasakah Governorate published by the Friedrich Ebert Institute, as well as an article published by the Middle East Institute entitled “Syria Is the Place Where the Conflict Between Wagner and the Russian Government Began,” in addition to another article discussing attacks by Iran-backed militias and the threat they pose to peace in the region.
During this period, a number of members of his family were subjected to summons and arrest by the security agencies of the Assad regime, as well as by the de facto authorities in the Qamishli area.