DAMASCUS: A Syrian court sentenced young blogger Kareem Arbaji to three years in prison for “spreading false news that weakens the nation's spirit” this week, much to the anger and frustration of local bloggers and activists who view the ruling as yet another attempt to force debate and writers away from discussing issues openly. The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) denounced the ruling and demanded the Syrian government immediately release the blogger. According to the network, Arbaji, who blogs at “Akhawya,” has already spent two years in prison after being arrested by Syrian State Security in June 2007. Arbaji is the administrator of the blog. “It is horrible and it really makes us in the blogosphere worry about our future here in this country. It is becoming extremely frustrating to know that the government is watching our every move,” a Syrian blogger told Bikya Masr's Syria correspondent in Damascus. ANHRI says that Arbaji was subjected to “a cruel and disproportionate sentence even if he was convicted.” They accused the government's forces of torturing the young man while he was imprisoned awaiting trial. The network, in a press statement “requested the Syrian government to immediately release Kareem Arbaji and all prisoners of conscience in Syrian dungeons, to abolish arbitrary detention policy and stop the security interference in judiciary affairs.” The blogger agrees, saying that Arbaji's case is an example of how deep the Syrian government's hand can go. “They get everywhere and do anything they want, without worrying about how the rule of law will be handed out. I am scared,” the blogger added. ANHRI asserts that the charge against Arbaji is a false one , only used as a pretext to inhibit freedom of expression and repress activists. ANHRI also urges the Syrian government to eliminate the state security court as it is “a stain to the Syrian justice.” BM
