Syrian Government Frees German Journalist Eva Maria Michelman After Germany Request

The Syrian government released German journalist Eva Maria Michelman after the Syrian Foreign Ministry approved Germany's request to repatriate her to her homeland.

“Al-Taj News - The Syrian government has released German journalist Eva-Maria Michelmann after the Syrian Foreign Ministry approved Germany's request to deport her to her homeland”

Howl.Link

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said it approved the request on Friday as part of an effort to safeguard bilateral relations between Syria and Germany, and it coordinated with the German Embassy in Damascus to secure consular care requirements in line with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963.

Zad Al-Urdun

Syrian officials said that, based on data available to the Syrian government, Michelman was present in the northeast Syria region and participated alongside elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces during military operations in Raqqa Governorate.

The ministry added that she was detained together with one of the senior members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party after entering Syrian territory illegally and living for a long period outside the control of the Syrian state.

Michelman left Syrian territory via Jordan bound for Germany after her release, after being detained in the city of Raqqa in late January amid clashes between Syrian government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Michelman's lawyer said she had been detained in a government-run prison in the city of Aleppo in the women's prison, together with Turkish journalist Ahmed Bolad.

The lawyer said he learned these details from a detainee held with Michelman who told him that the journalist was in the prison's women's section, which houses 40 inmates.

Qanah wa Manṣah Al-Mashhad

The Syrian government, via its Media and Communications Administration, said it facilitated German requests including consular visits by representatives of the German embassy and enabling embassy representatives to review Michelman's status.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry also said it coordinated with competent national authorities and the German Embassy in Damascus to secure the requirements of consular care in accordance with proper procedures and relevant international obligations.

In the account relayed by SANA, the Syrian administration said it followed Michelman's file since her identity and nationality were disclosed.

Howl.Link and Al-Taj News framed the release as happening "At Berlin's request," saying the Syrian Foreign Ministry approved the German request to deport Eva-Maria Michelmann to Germany.

“The Syrian government announced the release of German journalist Eva-Maria Michelman and her repatriation to Germany, after Damascus approved Berlin's request in this regard”

Qanah wa Manṣah Al-Mashhad

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said the deportation decision stemmed from a commitment to safeguarding bilateral relations, and it confirmed its agreement to the German request to return the German citizen to her homeland.

The Information and Communications Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it followed Michelman's case in coordination with the competent authorities and the German embassy in Damascus.

The ministry said Syrian authorities worked to secure the requirements of consular care in accordance with legal procedures and related international obligations, and it said it enabled embassy representatives to review her status in compliance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963.

The lawyer's account in قنـاة ومنصة المشهد added that Michelman was in the women’s section of the prison in Aleppo together with Turkish journalist Ahmet Bolad, and that the prison housed dozens of inmates.