Syrian activist Mazen Darwish freed

DAMASCUS , Syria, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Prominent Syrian human rights activist Mazen Darwish was freed Monday after three years in prison for reporting on the government's crackdown on dissidents.

His release came as he awaited a verdict in his case. Court proceedings have been regularly postponed.

"He has been freed ahead of a final verdict in his case on Aug. 21," his wife, Yara Bader said.

He and two colleagues from the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of expression, Hussein Ghreir and Hani al-Zaitani, were arrested in February 2012 and accused by the Syrian government of "promoting terrorist acts." Ghreir and Zaitani were freed last month as part of an amnesty that was to have included Darwish, but his release was delayed.

Darwish, believed to be in his 40s, has been the recipient of numerous awards for his journalism and activism, including UNESCO's prestigious Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize in May. His wife accepted the award on his behalf, saying, "We need a time to learn how to listen to people who have different opinions. Mazen has already forgiven those who tortured him almost to death."