Lebanese Press Syndicate holds gathering in solidarity with Fidaa...

13^min

Family, friends and colleagues held a gathering in solidarity with colleague journalist Fidaa Itani at the Press Syndicate on Tuesday afternoon. Fidaa Itani is under house arrest in the Syrian town of Aazaz.

Mohammad Baalbaki, head of the Journalists Syndicate delivered a word on Fidaa, lauding his work and journalistic path. "The mission of a journalist should be drawn with a red line; journalists publish and people judge," he said, hoping that Fidaa's detention in Syria would not last long.

In turn, on behalf of Fidaa's family and friends and on behalf of Human Rights organizations, his brother, Hussam Itani, said that it is the right of every journalist to express his/her points of view without fear of retribution.

"Fidaa stood with the Syrian opposition from day one, however he is now being detained by that side; Fidaa was not wrong," he said.

For his part, on behalf of Fidaa's colleagues, Journalist Thaer Ghandour said that Fidaa's mission as a journalist aims to portray the truth and the reality of the people. "He went to Aleppo to portray the reality of the people's conditions," he said.

"Detaining Fidaa is a crime against your uprising," Ghandour said, addressing Syrian rebels.

In conclusion, Nadim Houri, representing Human Rights Watch, said that 5 journalists including Fidaa have been reported detained in Syria, calling for the protection of journalists in Syria’s hot spots.

“We call for the release of all detained media persons," he said.

On Saturday, the Facebook page of Aazaz Rebels reported that Syrian rebels have detained Lebanese journalist Fidaa Itani.

The coordination committee of the Syrian revolution in Aazaz declared on Saturday that the arrest of Itani, who works for LBCI and other channels on a freelance basis, was due to the incompatibility of his work with the course of the Syrian revolution.

On Sunday, Syrian opposition group “Liwaa Aasifat al-Chamal” broadcasted a video showing Itani, safe and sound.

In the video, Itani reassured everyone that he was in good health, clarifying that he is under house arrest in the custody of Syrian opposition group "Liwaa Aasifat al Chamal" in Aazaz.