Syria arrests prominent dissident

Prominent Syrian dissident and former MP Riad Seif has been arrested and charged with harming the image of Syria, local human rights groups say.

He was detained for attending a meeting of pro-democratic reformers, they say.

It brings to 11 the number opposition activists arrested since the meeting December, reports say.

Syria does not usually comment on such arrests. Human rights groups say Syria holds hundreds of political prisoners, some without charge or trial.

Mr Seif, who suffers from prostate cancer, had already been banned from leaving Syria for medical treatment, a restriction he criticised as a "slow death sentence".

The US state department condemned the arrest and called for the immediate release of everyone detained "simply for their desire to speak their minds and engage in a political dialogue in Syria".

Deputy spokesman Tom Casey said the US had been urging Syria to allow Mr Seif to travel abroad for treatment.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7214757.stm