Renowned Syrian academic abducted in Homs
Dr. Rasha Nasser Al-Ali, a prominent Syrian academic, literary critic and professor of Arabic literature at the University of Homs was abducted by an armed group on January 20th, while travelling from her home in the Misaq Al-Idikhar district to the university in central Homs, according to The New Arab.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported on January 22nd that it has “not yet identified the group responsible for Dr. Al-Ali’s abduction.” The network spoke out against the abduction and urged for the release of all people who have been abducted or faced arbitrary detention.
Al-Ali, who is the daughter of renowned lawyer and regime opponent Nasser Ahmed Al-Ali, is key figure of literary criticism in Syria. After gaining a bachelor’s degree in 1997 in Arabic language from Al-Baath University, Al-Ali did a masters and doctorate in modern prose in Egypt’s Ain Shams University, respectively, in 2004 and 2009.
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Al-Ali’s abduction has prompted extensive censure. The Arab Writers Union made a statement condemning the abduction and called on authorities to act quickly to secure her safety.
In a related case, paediatrician and head of the Training and Qualification Committee for the Syrian Board, Dr. Qusai Nasser Al-Zeer, was abducted on January 19th. Al-Zeer’s clinic in Mazzah Jabal, Damascus, was raided by armed men, who took him to a location which was not disclosed. Originally from eastern Hama’s Tal Al-Durra village, Al-Zeer is a leading figure of medical training in the country. As of yet, no group has claimed responsibility for his kidnapping.
Professor at Al-Sham Private University in Damascus, Dr Sultan Al-Salkhadi, was recently detained by public security forces following a false allegation of bribery from a student. Al-Salkhadi was released after an investigation found the accusation had no base. Al-Salkhadi, who is from Jassem in northern Daraa, is a previous detainee of the former Assad-led regime.
Two months ago, an abduction of a student took place in Lebanon. Authorities said on November 2nd that Israeli commandos abducted a maritime student in northern Lebanon’s Batroun, as reported by Arab News. Axios news portal mentioned that an Israel official had said that “the abductee was taken to be questioned on Hezbollah’s naval activities.”
The New Arab, Arab News
