The “Rights Monitor” platform expresses its grave concern regarding the arrest of Syrian journalist Mazen Arjeh by internal security elements in Idlib city on the evening of Tuesday, May 5, 2026, while he was returning to the city. This incident has sparked a wide wave of criticism and anxiety within Syrian media and human rights circles.
According to available information, Mazen Arjeh is a Syrian journalist and activist hailing from Idlib city, known for his media activities opposing the Assad regime since 2011. He was previously subjected to arrest and severe torture at the hands of the former Syrian regime forces in 2012 due to his media and political activism.
The arrest of Arjeh comes amidst escalating fears of increasing restrictions imposed on freedom of opinion and journalistic work, particularly with the recurrence of detention and summons incidents targeting journalists and civil activists in recent times.
Arjeh had recently participated in the “Law and Dignity” sit-in held in the capital, Damascus, where participants demanded the establishment of justice and the promotion of civil rights and the rule of law. During the sit-in, he spoke about the reality of the civil movement, denying accusations circulated by pro-authority pages against the participants, which labeled them as “shabiha” (pro-government thugs).
In a related context, Arjeh had previously published a notification issued against him following his participation in the sit-in, raising fears of prosecution based on his peaceful and media-related activities.
As of the drafting of this report, no official authority has issued a clarification regarding the reasons for his arrest, his place of detention, or the legal basis for the measures taken against him. This raises serious concerns regarding his physical and psychological safety, especially given his prior exposure to torture during the years of conflict.
The “Rights Monitor” platform emphasizes that the arrest of journalists and activists due to their opinions or peaceful activism constitutes a clear violation of freedom of expression and freedom of journalistic work, both of which are guaranteed under international human rights conventions.
The platform demands the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Mazen Arjeh, the disclosure of his place of detention, the guarantee of his safety, and an end to all forms of harassment and prosecution targeting journalists and civil activists in Syria.
