Syria: New Indications Suggest German Journalist Held in Aleppo Prison

Germany - Ekhbary News Agency

New strong indications have emerged suggesting that the missing German journalist, Eva Maria Michallmann, is being held in a prison in Aleppo, Syria. This revelation comes from her family's lawyer, Frank Jaschinski, three months after Michallmann, who had been working as a freelance journalist in Syria for over a year, disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

New Developments on Journalist's Detention Location

Speaking to the German Press Agency (dpa), lawyer Jaschinski stated that "reliable reports" indicate that "it is probable that Michallmann was transferred to a prison in Aleppo and is still detained there today." He added that this information was immediately passed on to the German Foreign Ministry, urging German authorities to work diligently to secure her release and demand access. "The Foreign Ministry now has the opportunity to demand that Syrian authorities grant them access to her," Jaschinski emphasized.

Details of Disappearance and Arrest

According to investigations by the family and the lawyer, Eva Maria Michallmann was arrested on January 18th, along with a colleague, by forces affiliated with the Syrian government while they were seeking shelter in a youth center in northern Syria. Her disappearance coincided with a Syrian army offensive in the region. Prior to these new indications, the family and lawyer had limited information, only knowing that she had fallen into the hands of Syrian security forces without a specific location of detention.

Testimonies Confirm Her Presence in Aleppo

Jaschinski's statements are based on testimonies from released prisoners. These prisoners identified the Kurdish journalist, who was arrested simultaneously with Michallmann, as one of the detainees in the Aleppo prison. Jaschinski further elaborated, based on these eyewitness accounts, that "it is an open secret in that prison... that a German journalist is also being held there," confirming that the family and lawyer presume the person in question is Michallmann. This information is considered the "first sign of life after months of uncertainty" for the journalist's family.

Official Reactions and Responses

For its part, government circles in Damascus stated on Tuesday that they are "investigating the case and will inform the German government of the details." Concurrently, Kurdish sources indicated that an armed group allied with the government is likely responsible for Michallmann's arrest, also confirming that the journalist is currently in Aleppo. The German Foreign Ministry, in response to a dpa inquiry, affirmed that it "is still working at full speed to clarify the situation," noting that its embassies in Beirut and Damascus are following the case and making intensive efforts to uncover the circumstances, remaining in contact with parties who may have information about the concerned journalist's whereabouts.

Journalism in Conflict Zones

This case once again highlights the dangers faced by independent journalists working in conflict zones. Eva Maria Michallmann had been covering events in Syria for over a year before her disappearance. International calls are renewed to ensure the safety of journalists, their freedom to work, and to provide them with the necessary protection amid complex security conditions.