Rights group: Syrian court sends prominent rights activist to prison for 3 years

DAMASCUS, Syria – DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A Damascus court convicted a leading Syrian lawyer and rights activist of spreading false information and sentenced him Wednesday to three years in prison, a human rights organization and activists said.

The Syrian Human Rights League, or SHRL, said Muhannad al-Hassani, 44, was also charged with "weakening national sentiments" — a term often used in Syria against those who challenge the regime.

Al-Hassani headed the Syrian Organization for Human Rights — a separate group from the League. As a prominent lawyer, he handled cases of political prisoners in Syria and led calls for their release.

He was an outspoken defender of 12 jailed pro-democracy activists arrested two years ago. The group was part of a coalition known as the "Damascus Declaration" that called for peaceful democratic change in Syria.

Al-Hassani himself was arrested in July after being summoned several times for questioning by security agents.

Last month, 10 international rights groups awarded al-Hassani their annual prize for bravery, the Martin Ennals Award, saying he "bravely defended human rights."

The 20,000 Swiss francs ($18,000) prize is awarded jointly by groups including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Federation for Human Rights.

A Syrian lawyer who follows activists' trials, Khalil Maatouk, described Wednesday's sentencing as "harsh and unjust" and called for al-Hassani's immediate release.

The SHRL also expressed grave concern over the sentencing, saying it met "none of the minimum conditions and criteria for a fair trail" and called for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Syria.

Arrests of pro-democracy activists are common in Syria, where several prominent political activists and writers remain imprisoned.