SYRIAN POLITICAL PRISONER KAMAL LABWANI APPEARS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000201 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA/ELA FOR DONICK AND SONTY; DRL FOR BARGHOUT; NSC FOR MARCHESE; E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2017 TAGS: PHUM PGOV SY SUBJECT: SYRIAN POLITICAL PRISONER KAMAL LABWANI APPEARS IN CRIMINAL COURT REF: DAMASCUS 134 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael H. Corbin for reasons 1.4 b/d ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Prominent Syrian political prisoner Kamal Labwani appeared in criminal court on February 27 when his lawyer presented as part of the defense's evidence a letter from the U.S. Embassy, which broadly outlines the U.S. International Visitor Program (IVP). The next court date was set for March 18 when Labwani's lawyer is expected to present the defense's closing statement and when Labwani will have 30 minutes to speak on his own behalf. Following the presentation of the final defense, the judge is expected to set a date for a verdict in the case. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) During Labwani's February 27 criminal court appearance, the presiding judge announced that security services had responded negatively to court requests about the availability of documentation about the IVP program seized at the airport in November 2005 upon Labwani's return from Europe and the United States. In response, Labwani's lawyer Muhannad al-Hasani presented as part of the defense's evidence a letter from the U.S. Embassy, which broadly outlines the worldwide IVP and the range of topics and participants who have in the past included current and past SARG members. Hasani also presented letters from European officials with whom Labwani met during his trip to Europe, shortly before his detention upon his return to Syria. ¶3. (SBU) Labwani, who as usual was wearing blue- and black-striped prisoner garb, looked tired but well-fed. He appeared to be in good spirits, waving to a number of courtroom observers. His hair was growing back after it was shaved in the wake of riots at Adra'a Prison where he is detained with convicted and alleged criminals, as reported in reftel. ¶4. (SBU) The judge set the next court date for March 18 when Hasani will present the final defense and when Labwani will have 30 minutes to speak on his own behalf. Following the presentation of the final defense, the judge is expected to set a date for a verdict in the case. ¶5. (SBU) Also attending the February 27 session were lawyers for alleged criminals who were waiting in a caged area of the courtroom for their hearings, Labwani family members, opposition figures such as Riad Seif and his daughter Joumana Seif, as well as diplomatic representatives from the U.S., German, Danish, and Swedish embassies. ¶6. (C) Comment: After more than 15 months in detention and numerous delays in the trial, it appears that a verdict may soon be issued in the Labwani case. Friends and family members tearfully insisted after this court session that the presiding judge has already been issued orders from higher Syrian authorities to deliver a severe judgment on Labwani. Given the ongoing crackdown on Syrian civil society, these predictions do not seem unreasonable. CORBIN