Fasting to #freeBassel

Dec 18

Web Only

Fasting to #freeBassel

Netizens rally around call to free a Syrian engineer.

Netizens are campaigning for the release of Palestinian-Syrian engineer Bassel Khartabil. [Photo from Flickr user joi / Creative Commons]

Activists have intensified their online campaign calling for the release of Palestinian-Syrian software engineer Bassel Khartabil after he was reportedly transferred from civilian detention to a military prison in Syria. Khartabil has been held without charge since March 15. His supporters say they now fear the prison transfer could mean a military trial and execution.

View the story "Fasting to #freeBassel" on StorifyFasting to #freeBasselNetizens rally around call to free a Syrian engineer. Storified by The Stream · Tue, Dec 18 2012 10:57:32Bassel was transferred 2 kind of a military court. No laws r followed, No right to have a lawyer, No family r allowed 2 attend #FreeBasselMohamad NajemAfter spending 25 days in Adra jail for civilians, unfortunately Bassel has been to an exceptional military court, with no lawyer allowed to defend him. We all fear the result of this court.Friends and supporters of Khartabil are organising online through the "Free Bassel" campaign, demanding his immediate release:Bassel Khartabil has been unjustly detained for many months without trial or any legal charges being brought against him. We, the signees of the #FREEBASSEL campaign, demand immediate information regarding his detention, health, and psychological state. We urge the Syrian Government to release the community member, husband-to-be, son to a mother and father, and celebrated International software engineer Bassel Khartabil, immediately.FREEBASSEL - HOME#FreeBassel supporters are organising a "chain-fast" in support of Khartabil, who is also known as Bassel Safadi. They are tweeting with the hashtag #FastForBassel.I will be fasting on December 19th in solidarity with Bassel Safadi. Who will join me? #FastForBassel #FreeBasselweddadyI will fast on Dec 20 to put some pressure on #Syria: I want Bassel Khartabil out of prison before 2012 ends! #Freebassel #fastforbasselRenata AvilaJust joined a chain-fast for #freebassel http://doodle.com/m5web7yqea9xyztqLessigKhartabil gained recognition for his contributions to the open source movement and as a volunteer project lead for Creative Commons in Syria. Creative Commons members from the group's Arab regional meeting made the following video calling for his release:Release Bassel Khartabil Safadi دعوة لاطلاق سراح باسل خرطبيل الصفديyourdana#freebassel, bassel couldnt be here with us today, but he is greatly missed. #cc10 #ccarab4Sherry AlhayekMauritanian activist Nasser Weddady tweeted about Khartabil's work in Syria:@AJStream Bassel is the godfather of #Syria open-source and creative commons scene.weddady@AJStream as such, he is one of the main people responsible for the vibrancy of the syrian electronic scene.weddady@AJStream not long ago, we in the cyber activist community used to refer to syria as an electronic black hole.Bassel did a lot to change itweddadyThe CEO of Creative Commons, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, published this call for Khartabil's release:Others printed posters to draw attention to the campaign. i have a higher calling tonite. @freebasselkidprotoDownload this #FreeBassel banner: print it and put it somewhere visible. Do not forget him. http://freebassel.org/ http://pic.twitter.com/qovj3P1LRenata Avila