Syria releases more than 900 protesters

Syria releases more than 900 protesters

2011-12-01 08:34:50 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAMASCUS (BNO NEWS) -- Syrian authorities on Wednesday released more than 900 people who were arrested during the ongoing social unrest in the country, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

According to the government, 912 people who were involved in the unrest against the government of President Bashar al-Assad but 'without perpetrating acts of killing' were released on Wednesday. The Syrian government also claimed that 1,180 people were released on November 15 and 553 others were released earlier in the same month on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

The Syrian government didn't give other details about the detainees or their apparent release. It was also not possible to independently verify the reports due to reporting restrictions.

The release of the detainees comes after a United Nations commission of inquiry on Syria released a report on Monday alleging that the Arab nation is responsible for "wrongful acts," including crimes against humanity which were committed by members of its military and security forces. The three panelists, from Brazil, Turkey, and the Unites States, interviewed 223 victims and witnesses of alleged human rights violations, including defectors from government forces.

Pro-democracy demonstrations have spread across the country since mid-March, resulting in a fierce government crackdown which has left more than 3,500 people killed, including some 200 children. The Syrian government has claimed violent acts against protesters have been carried out by 'terrorists dressed as soldiers,' although international observers have rejected these claims.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-12-01