JusticeMakers help free Syrian Journalist

JusticeMakers help free Syrian Journalist

Safa is a young Syrian journalist living in Turkey, where she, her father and siblings currently reside after fleeing the persecution they faced in their old home of Deir ez-Zor, Syria. Now settled in the Turkish city of Sanliurfa, Safa works with local associations and Syrian newspapers to provide her community with reliable, accurate information about the ongoing civil war.

Safa is a young Syrian journalist living in Turkey, where she, her father and siblings currently reside after fleeing the persecution they faced in their old home of Deir ez-Zor, Syria. Now settled in the Turkish city of Sanliurfa, Safa works with local associations and Syrian newspapers to provide her community with reliable, accurate information about the ongoing civil war.

A supporter of Syrian president Bachar al-Assad contacted Safa on Facebook upon discovering her work. Shortly afterwards, Safa was charged with threatening and insulting this pro-Assad supporter on social media. She was arrested alongside three of friends who were charged with the same crime.

A supporter of Syrian president Bachar al-Assad contacted Safa on Facebook upon discovering her work. Shortly afterwards, Safa was charged with threatening and insulting this pro-Assad supporter on social media. She was arrested alongside three of friends who were charged with the same crime.

Safa knew of the International Bridges to Justice’s JusticeMakers program and contacted them while in police custody. JusticeMaker Fellow Esra Yurum came to her aid. She helped explain to the police that the claims made against Safa were falsified; as well as provide authorities with evidence proving the innocence of her client. Thanks to Esra’s legal assistance, Safa, as well as two of her friends were released the day of their arrest.

Safa knew of the International Bridges to Justice’s JusticeMakers program and contacted them while in police custody. JusticeMaker Fellow Esra Yurum came to her aid. She helped explain to the police that the claims made against Safa were falsified; as well as provide authorities with evidence proving the innocence of her client. Thanks to Esra’s legal assistance, Safa, as well as two of her friends were released the day of their arrest.

Free once more, Safa aims to continue her work as a journalist and will interview Esra in order to raise awareness for the JusticeMakers. With Safa’s influence and the hard work of the many lawyers in the program, Justice makers will be able to reach more Syrian refugees in Turkey and provide them with free legal aid.

Free once more, Safa aims to continue her work as a journalist and will interview Esra in order to raise awareness for the JusticeMakers. With Safa’s influence and the hard work of the many lawyers in the program, Justice makers will be able to reach more Syrian refugees in Turkey and provide them with free legal aid.