Pastor Nihad Hassan, head of the Evangelical Kurdish Church in Beirut, was released on Monday (Aug. 3) from detention in Syria, which also coincided with his birthday.
Hassan, originally from the Afrin Region of Syria, was arrested on July 19 and was held initially at Afrin Central Civil Prison. His case was later referred to judicial authorities in Aleppo. The pastor was detained over allegations involving an alleged violation of Syria’s cybercrime law tied to comments made on social media in 2021 during the rule of the Assad regime, Hassan’s Syrian lawyer, Nazir Sheik Mohammad, told Christian Daily International.
The lawyer added that such violations were included in an amnesty declared by the government of Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa.
Hassan was treated well in detention, Mohammad said. He said Hassan was transferred to Aleppo because it was the nearest major city with judicial expertise to handle the case. After all relevant issues were presented to the court, the judge in Aleppo ordered Hassan’s release and the return of his car and personal belongings, the attorney said.
Mohammad denied that the outcome was the result of any outside interference, saying the case was handled according to proper legal standards and in line with the rule of law.
WEA Welcomes Release
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) welcomed Hassan’s release, noting that the pastor is widely known for spiritual leadership and for providing humanitarian assistance and pastoral care to displaced communities in both Syria and Lebanon.
The detention raised concerns about religious freedom and freedom of expression, the WEA stated in a press release, but acknowledged the positive role of officials and institutions in ensuring the case proceeded through legal channels.
“We recognize the significant challenges facing the new government in Damascus and appreciate the complexity of maintaining civil harmony in a deeply polarized society,” The WEA stated. “The release of Pastor Hassan has reassured the local and international public and has demonstrated the government’s commitment to justice and fundamental freedoms.”
