AL-‘OTAYBA, Syria – State Security officers arrested Usra al-Hussein on July 31 and Bayan Saleh ‘Ali on August 4. The arrests took place in the village of al-‘Otayba, located 20 kilometers from Damascus. Both women are married to men detained due to suspicions regarding their associations with Islamist activities.

Usra al-Hussein’s husband, Jehad Diab, is detained at the US military base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Jehad Diab has been at Guantánamo without any charge or a trial since August 2002. He was arrested in Pakistan in November 2001.

Bayan Saleh ‘Ali’s husband, Ahmad Saleh ‘Ali, is detained in Sednaya Military Prison in Syria. Ahmad Saleh ‘Ali was charged with violating three articles of the Syrian Penal Code, including: “forming an organization with the aim of changing the economic or social status of the state” (Article 306); “weakening national sentiment” (Article 285); and “inciting sectarian strife” (Article 307). He is set for trial before the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC). The SSSC has been known to ignore international standards for fair trials.

Since their arrest, Usra al-Hussein and Bayan Saleh ‘Ali have been held incommunicado. Syrian authorities refuse to release the location of the women, explain why they are being held, and if they will be charged. They are at great risk of being tortured or treated improperly.

For more information, please see:

Amnesty International – Syria: Incommunicado/Torture – 15 September 2008 

Amnesty International USA – Free Wives Being Held Incommunicado in Syria – 15 September 2008