Overview
- Salim (Salem) Hamadani was released in late December after roughly 20 days in detention on suspicions of illegal antiquities trading tied to the National Museum.
- Liaison Joe Jajati said authorities found no basis for the charges, praised the process as fair, and reported that Hamadani was treated with dignity.
- Jajati emphasized that the arrest was not motivated by Hamadani’s Jewish identity, addressing fears voiced by family members and local representatives.
- Alaa’ al-Din Kharub, the official representative for Jewish community affairs in Syria, had anticipated Hamadani’s release and expressed confidence in the judicial process.
- Syrian officials have not issued a detailed public statement on the decision, a notable gap as the government seeks to project legal normalcy despite ongoing rights scrutiny.