Syrian journalist 'beaten and detained by Jordan, may be deported'

A Syrian journalist recently detained by Jordan is being told he may be deported to his home country.

Amman-based reporter Ibrahim Awwad was detained last Wednesday, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Tuesday.

Jordanian-Syrian relations have improved significantly in recent months, as countries begin to normalise ties with the Assad regime after almost a decade of international isolation over human rights violations and the Syrian war.

RSF Middle East chief Sabrina Bennoui said: "We call on the Jordanian authorities to release the journalist Ibrahim Awwad.

"Under no circumstances should Amman become an accomplice to the direct persecution of a journalist whose critical reporting puts him in danger in his country of origin."

The freelancer's Amman home was stormed by authorities who seized his phone and laptop, his friend Fared Al-Mahlool said.

Al-Mahlool, also a journalist, alleged Awwad was beaten and moved to Azraq refugee camp.

Awwad and is likely to face extreme dangers if he is sent to Syria.

The beleaguered journalist began living in Jordan in 2015, reporting on the Syrian war for television audiences.

Awwad had revealed on Facebook he was working on a TV piece on Iran's regional sway, focusing especially on Syria's Daraa city – the birthplace of the revolution.

Syrians detained in Saudi Arabia for failing to renew their residency permits or for 'abscondment' are choosing to remain imprisoned rather than face the terrifying prospect of being deported to Syria https://t.co/rAYyGKoz5C

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) November 23, 2021

Located close to the Jordanian border, the city had experienced a crippling siege and has seen fighting between the regime and local opposition this year.

Despite a deal reached between the two sides, disquiet reigns in the area amid frequent killings.

A regime intelligence figure requested Amman act on Syrian reporters based in Jordan producing stories on Daraa, Al-Mahlool claimed.

Jordan is also said to have encouraged multiple people belonging to the opposition to depart its territory.