Reports | 25 05 2020
Al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front [NF] freed activist Hadi al-Abdullah and Radio Fresh director Raed al-Fares in the Idlib countryside, only after the former signed a document in which he concurred [with NF’s view] that what al-Fares posted on social networks constituted “a Sharia violation.”
The NF [or the al-Qaeda in the Levant] announced on Monday its release of Radio Fresh director Raed al-Fares, under the guarantee of Hadi al-Abdullah; following a detention of several hours from the town of Kafranbel in the Idlib countryside.
According to a document signed by Al-Abdullah and the NF Emir [commander] in the town of Kafranbel in the Idlib countryside, "media activist Hadi al-Abdallah hereby confirms that what Raed al-Fares had published on social networks constitutes a clear Sharia error."
The second item of this text stipulated the "release of al-Fares, to appear in Sharia court when summoned, with al-Abdallah as guarantor thereof."
Activists say that the reason for the NF raiding the Radio Fresh headquarters is the "broadcast of songs calling for debauchery.”
Al-Nusra Front also acknowledged that "the abuses committed by its members during a raid on the Radio station’s headquarters also constitute a clear error."
The document also stated that, "all equipment confiscated by the NF from the radio headquarters in Kafranbel would be returned, with compensation in the event of damage;” as well as "recognition of the abuses committed during NF members’ raid of the Radio headquarters."
NF leader Abdullah al-Mhaisni tweeted that he was "saddened when I read from the words of our beloved media personality Hadi Al-Abdullah, vis-a-vis the behavior of NF brothers. This is particularly so, given that there was no need for a raid—a summons would have sufficed."
It is to be noted that Radio Fresh is financed by non-governmental donors. The station was established in Kafranbel in the Idlib countryside in July 2013.
Raed al-Fares acts as the general manager of the station, which employs 82 people—including reporters and cadres in other provinces.