DAMASCUS, Syria, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- A detained Syrian activist refused to give up his citizenship as the government seeks to take it away from him.
Anwar al-Bunni, a human rights lawyer, told United Press International in a telephone interview from prison that attempts to take away his Syrian citizenship is "targeted at every conscientious person who rejects injustice, violation of human rights and corruption."
Al-Bunni has been in detention since he was arrested about a year ago after he signed the "Beirut Declaration" along with other Lebanese and Syrian figures who called for correcting relations between the two neighboring countries based on mutual respect and interests.
Syria's Social Affairs and Labor Ministry asked the court hearing his case to provide it with the verdict to submit a request to the Interior Ministry to pull out his Syrian citizenship. He says it is the only citizenship he has.
"The ministry's request to take away my citizenship is aimed at every Syrian who dares to be free with an (independent) view," he told UPI from a prison in southern Damascus.
Al-Bunni added he is "proud" of his loyalty to his country and his Syrian nationality, saying he was different than "those who hide behind other citizenships when the time of punishment comes."
The court hearing his case will reconvene next month. He is charged with "spreading false news that could weaken the psyche of the nation."
Taking away his citizenship, should the court agree to the government's request, would be the first of its kind in Syria.
