Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DAMASCUS358
2009-05-20 13:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:  

PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE MICHEL KILO RELEASED FROM

Tags:  PHUM PREL PGOV SY 
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VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDM #0358/01 1401359
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 201359Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6381
INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0577
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0546
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000358 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, DRL/NESCA FOR JESSICA MEGILL
LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR WALLER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2019
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV SY
SUBJECT: PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE MICHEL KILO RELEASED FROM
PRISON

Classified By: CDA, a.i. Raymond Maxwell for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000358

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, DRL/NESCA FOR JESSICA MEGILL
LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR WALLER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2019
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV SY
SUBJECT: PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE MICHEL KILO RELEASED FROM
PRISON

Classified By: CDA, a.i. Raymond Maxwell for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Syrian State Security released prominent
political dissident Michel Kilo on the evening of May 19
after he completed a three-year prison sentence for spreading
false information, weakening the national sentiments, and
inciting sectarianism. Kilo had been a signatory to the
Damascus-Beirut Declaration in 2006 and the principle drafter
of the Damascus Declaration. Sixty-eight years old and
suffering kidney troubles, Kilo was unable to prevail in his
appeal for early release for good behavior, but his release
surprised many democracy activists and diplomats, who
expected the Syrian regime to charge him with new crimes to
keep him in jail. The day after his release, Kilo gave a
phone interview to BBC Arabic. END SUMMARY.

--------------
Kilo Healthy
--------------


2. (C) A small group of family and friends gathered at the
Kilo residence in the Christian Quarter of Damascus on the
evening of May 19 to welcome Michel Kilo home from Adra
prison. He had been transferred from Adra prison to the
custody of the General Intelligence Directorate (GID) on May
15 and held until his final release. Kilo, who served three
years for weakening the national sentiment, spreading false
information, and inciting sectarianism, appeared in good
health and delighted with his freedom, according to an
Embassy LES who was on hand for the reception. The LES
reported that Kilo claimed to have exercised for two hours
every day and have eaten healthily in prison. Kilo did,
however, complain about kidney pain.

--------------
Final Hour of Custody
--------------


3. (C) In the final hour of his GID custody, Kilo was taken
to the GID Director Ali Mamluk's office, whereupon he was
blindfolded, handcuffed, and left standing for over half an
hour, Kilo reported. Then, in what the LES described as a
"bit of theater," a brigadier general who heads a branch of
GID entered the room and shouted, "why is this man cuffed and
blindfolded?" The general rushed to remove the blind-fold
and handcuffs from Kilo, and after dismissing his deputy,

proceeded to debrief Kilo. (Comment: We were unable to
determine whether Mamluk was present during any part of the
general's interview with Kilo. End Comment)


4. (C) The general told Kilo he was free to resume his
"normal life, including his writing" Kilo said. He did warn
Kilo against conducting any interviews with "satellite news
stations." Kilo also claimed to have informed the general
that he planned to sue everyone who had questioned his
patriotism in published press articles. When the general
asked Kilo if he needed any assistance, which the LES
presumed meant money, Kilo reportedly joked, "I still have
the $1 million," drawing laughter from the General. (Note:
The $1 million refers to a news report soon after Kilo's
detention in which Maria Makhluf, a news anchor on the
Lebanese New TV station program "Without Censor," accused
Kilo of having taken $1 million from former Vice President
and National Salvation Front founder Abd al-Halim Khaddam.

--------------
Kilo Talks to BBC Arabic
--------------


5. (C) Despite the general's warning, Kilo gave a telephone
interview to BBC Arabic on the afternoon of May 20. Kilo
pointedly remarked he had not "signed any documents,"
presumably a reference to rumors that the SARG would demand a
signed apology to President al-Asad. Kilo said he felt he
had been detained because of his role in the Beirut-Damascus
Declaration, but that there were other "indirect reasons" for
his arrest as well. He added that he would continue to serve
both his country and its citizens by striving for greater
liberties. "My imprisonment has not changed any of my
beliefs," he said.


6. (C) COMMENT: While his release does not represent a
victory for human rights activists, it certainly ran contrary
to the prevailing view of human rights and diplomatic
contacts that the Syrian regime would charge Kilo with new
crimes to keep him in jail. We anticipate Kilo's homecoming

will still be celebrated widely. We have heard contradictory
reports from European contacts on whether their respective
governments or the E.U. would issue a statement "welcoming
Kilo's release." While doing so would provide a positive
response, it would be likely to beg the question of our views
on Kilo's arrest and sentence, as well as our view on the
continuing detention of other prisoners of conscience.
Washington might consider if-asked press guidance that made
these points and noted the decision to release Kilo was a
good first step. Post recommends any statement should
generally welcome the release of Michel Kilo. We would not
recommend a statement that drew negative attention to the
SARG or used Kilo's release as an opportunity for singling
out other political detainees. END COMMENT.
MAXWELL