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Journalist Arrested by Security Forces in Aleppo: Ongoing Repression Despite Claims of Change
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Syrian journalist Ghaith Al-Sayed continues to resist the systematic injustice faced by the Syrian people, calling for real reforms to end the authoritarian practices of the security apparatus

In a social media post, Syrian journalist Ghaith Al-Sayed revealed harrowing details about his arrest and beating by security forces at the "Bab Al-Nasr" police station in Aleppo, reviving memories of the repressive practices of the former regime.
Initially, Ghaith was arbitrarily arrested after security forces forced the workers at his kiosk to shut it down under the pretext of lacking a permit—despite other kiosks in the area operating without scrutiny. When he tried to reason with the officers, the security patrol showed no interest in legal procedures or permits. Their response to his question about the eviction order was blunt: "A verbal order," with no official documentation provided.
What shocked and angered Ghaith was that the officers, unsatisfied with silencing his respectful objections, began physically assaulting him as soon as he identified himself as a journalist. When they asked, "What do you do for a living?" and he replied, "I’m a journalist," they struck him in the face, mocking, "A journalist? Haha." The beating continued, accompanied by degrading remarks linking journalism to "security issues" and political detentions.
The brutality escalated when his brother, Mohammed, was beaten merely for asking to see an official written order, while his other brother, Ahmed—who suffers from a leg injury—was screamed at and insulted for being unable to stand straight.
Despite Ghaith’s attempts to remain calm and adhere to the law, the pressure intensified until he was forcibly taken to the police station. Inside, the interrogation was nothing more than an attempt to fabricate charges against him. The investigator accused him of "engaging in security-related dialogue" but failed to provide any evidence. Instead, the questioning shifted to baseless accusations against one of his friends for making statements—a claim Ghaith firmly denied, maintaining that he could not be held responsible for others' words.
Expecting a fair investigation based on legal procedures, Ghaith was stunned by an additional unjust ruling: the removal of his kiosk, despite all other kiosks in the area operating without permits. It seemed that those with connections and loyalty were allowed to continue their work, while those operating honestly and within the law were punished.
In his post, Ghaith delivered a powerful message to the authorities, vehemently rejecting the return of repression and humiliation. He stressed that what happened to him was part of Syria’s long history of systemic injustice, emphasizing that the Syrian people deserve better after losing their homeland, their martyrs, and thousands to arbitrary detention and forced disappearances.
Ghaith affirmed that a new Syria must be built on justice and dignity, with accountability for all violators and no tolerance for tyranny or corruption. His stance is not just a personal rejection of his ordeal but a call to all Syrians to unite in building a future free from oppression and injustice.
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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