Syrian actor Imad Najjar stated that his brother, Abdul Razzaq Al-Najjar, was arrested on April 29, 2026, by the “de facto authorities” in northern Syria. This action ensued from a Facebook post in which he criticized what he described as “the state of luxury and opulence in celebrations,” at a time when millions of displaced Syrians continue to endure harsh humanitarian conditions within displacement and refugee camps.
According to the appeal published by Imad Najjar, Abdul Razzaq Al-Najjar was detained at the Al-Rai border crossing checkpoint in the northern countryside of Aleppo, while traveling from his place of residence in the Turkish city of Gaziantep to the city of Marea, where his family resides. He clarified that the authorities had not permitted his lawyer to meet with him up to the time the appeal was published, raising serious concerns regarding his detention conditions and the guarantees of a fair trial.
The appeal noted that Abdul Razzaq Al-Najjar hails from the city of Marea and has been wounded multiple times as a result of aerial bombardments by the Assad regime during the years of the Syrian war. Furthermore, he participated in the combat against ISIS alongside his fellow townsmen, sustaining injuries during those battles and losing a number of relatives and close associates.
Imad Najjar also mentioned that his brother, along with his family, was forced to displace to Turkey, where he settled in Gaziantep. There, he worked to support himself and his family, while simultaneously pursuing his university studies, majoring in Economics in the Turkish language, subsequently graduating with honors, according to the statement.
He added that Abdul Razzaq Al-Najjar had previously written for and contributed to several Syrian and Arab media platforms, considering that his arrest was a direct consequence of his peaceful expression of opinion via social media.
The appeal contained sharp criticism of the “de facto authorities” in Syria, asserting that the continued detention of Abdul Razzaq Al-Najjar over an online post constitutes a violation of freedom of expression and opinion, which are guaranteed under international human rights conventions.
“Rights Monitor Syria” calls for the immediate release of Abdul Razzaq Al-Najjar, and demands that his right to communicate with his lawyer and family be guaranteed, and that his place of detention, as well as his health and legal status, be disclosed. The organization emphasizes that prosecuting or detaining individuals due to their political opinions or peaceful expression constitutes a flagrant violation of fundamental rights and freedom of expression.
