Missing in Syria: German journalist Michelmann is alleged to be in custody in Aleppo | EUROtoday

In the case of a German journalist who has been lacking in Syria for 3 months, there are clues as to her whereabouts. It is assumed that Eva Maria Michelmann from Cologne may very well be imprisoned in a jail in Aleppo, stated lawyer Frank Jasenski, who represents the mom and brother of the journalist who disappeared throughout an offensive by the Syrian military.

“So far we only knew that and where it had fallen into the hands of the Syrian security forces,” Jasenski advised the German Press Agency. There at the moment are credible stories that Michelmann has most likely been taken to a jail in Aleppo and is being held there.

“It’s kind of an open secret that a German journalist is also imprisoned there.”

Released prisoners from there acknowledged the Kurdish journalist, who was arrested similtaneously Michelmann, as one of many prisoners. “It is a kind of open secret in the prison that a German journalist is also imprisoned there,” stated Jasenski, citing eyewitness stories. Like the household, he assumes that it’s Michelmann.

The data was instantly handed on to the Foreign Office. With “this first sign of life after months of uncertainty,” the German authorities at the moment are known as upon to forcefully safe his launch. “The Foreign Office would now have the opportunity to demand that the Syrian authorities have access to her,” stated Jasenski. “We are investigating the case and will inform the German government about the details,” authorities circles in Damascus stated on Tuesday. Kurdish sources stated that an armed group allied with the federal government had most likely arrested Michelmann. According to Kurdish circles, Michelmann is at the moment in Aleppo.

“We are continuing to work hard to clarify the situation,” the Foreign Office stated in response to a question from the dpa. The German embassies in Beirut and Damascus are coping with the matter and are making intensive efforts to make clear the matter. We are additionally involved with contacts who could have details about the whereabouts of these affected.

According to media stories, the journalist from Cologne disappeared in northern Syria in mid-January throughout an offensive by the Syrian military. According to the household and lawyer’s analysis, she and her colleague had been arrested by forces of the Syrian transitional authorities on January 18 and brought away in a automotive whereas they had been looking for safety in a youth heart. According to the lawyer, she has been working in Syria as a contract journalist for greater than a 12 months, together with for the left-wing Turkish information company Etkin Haber Ajansi.

https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien-und-film/medienpolitik/vermisst-in-syrien-deutsche-journalistin-michelmann-soll-in-aleppo-in-haft-sein-200757323.html