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In early September 2025, Syrian government forces arrested lawyer Malek Mahmoud al-Jiyoush, vice chairman of Syriatel (born 1980). Since then, his family has been unable to learn of his fate or contact him.
Mr. Malek assumed the position of Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Syriatel at the start of 2025, having previously served as Senior Legal Advisor at MTN. He was arrested without a warrant and was prevented from communicating with his family or appointing a lawyer to defend him. As of the time of issuing this statement, the location to which he was taken or any charges against him have not been announced.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights continues its investigations into the case, including collecting relevant testimonies, information, and evidence. We urge anyone with details that could contribute to clarifying the circumstances of the incident to share them via our official email address: [email protected]
The Syrian Network for Human Rights condemns the arbitrary detention of lawyer Malek Mahmoud al-Jiyoush, considering it a flagrant violation of international human rights law. Furthermore, denying him access to his family and lawyer, and failing to disclose his place of detention, constitutes a violation of fair trial guarantees.
Legal Conclusions
- The detention of lawyer Malek Mahmoud Al-Jiyoush without a warrant, charges, or informing his family of his whereabouts constitutes arbitrary detention according to the definition of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and constitutes a direct violation of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
- The failure to inform the detainee of the reason for his arrest and to deny him access to a lawyer or his family violates the basic guarantees of a fair trial stipulated in Articles 9 and 14 of the International Covenant and constitutes a form of unlawful detention.
Recommendations by SNHR
- Immediately reveal the fate of lawyer Malek Mahmoud Al-Jiyoush, ensure his physical and psychological safety, and enable his family and defense lawyers to communicate with him.
- Immediately release him unless legally proven charges are brought, and ensure, if necessary, that he is brought to a fair trial before a judicial authority that meets the requirements of justice.
- Open an administrative and judicial investigation into the incident to hold accountable the individuals who carried out the unlawful arrest. Publish the results of the investigation to ensure transparency.
- Provide material and moral compensation to the detainee and his family, if the unlawfulness of his detention is proven, within the framework of reparations stipulated in international law.
