Syria security forces arrest leading activist in Damascus

Syrian security forces arrested leading human rights activist Mazen Darwich and several other activists on Thursday after breaking into Darwich's office in central Damascus, opposition figure Louay Hussein said.

Hussein, an opponent of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, told Reuters that activist Yara Badr was also detained in the raid.

Darwich, head of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression, has been active in documenting human rights violations committed by Syrian forces in the 11-month revolt against Assad.

He was detained last year after taking part in a protest to demand the release of political prisoners.

Earlier in the day, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Syrian authorities to stop killing civilians and said potential crimes against humanity were taking place in the country.  

"We see neighborhoods shelled indiscriminately, hospitals used as torture centres, children as young as 10 years old killed and abused.

We see almost a certain crimes against humanity," he told reporters after meeting Austrian President Heinz Fischer on Thursday.

Reuters