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April 12, 2026 – Syria/Kurdistan –
Activists in northeastern Syria have staged a protest in the city of Qamishlo calling for the release of two journalists, Eva Maria Michelmann and Ahmed Polad, who were abducted in January while reporting in the country. Demonstrators gathered outside a United Nations office, holding images of the missing journalists and urging authorities to disclose their whereabouts.
According to accounts presented during the protest, the two journalists disappeared on January 18, 2026, in the city of Raqqa while covering military developments. Witnesses reported that they had taken shelter with civilians during clashes before being detained by forces affiliated with Syria’s transitional authorities and taken away in a vehicle. Since then, no confirmed information has emerged بشأن their condition or location.
Protest organizers placed responsibility on Syrian authorities, asserting that the journalists were detained by government-linked forces and demanding immediate transparency. Statements read during the demonstration emphasized that both journalists had been actively reporting on developments in northern Syria and described their work as documenting events of significant public interest.
Participants also highlighted the broader issue of enforced disappearances in the region, noting that the case of Michelmann and Polad is part of a larger pattern affecting civilians, journalists, and others amid ongoing conflict. Calls were made not only for their release but also for accountability for those responsible for their detention.
The protest forms part of a series of actions held in different locations, including earlier demonstrations in Europe, aimed at maintaining international attention on the case. Advocacy groups and press freedom organizations have similarly urged Syrian authorities to clarify the fate of the journalists and ensure their safety.
Despite months having passed since their disappearance, uncertainty continues to surround the case. Activists say they will persist with demonstrations and public campaigns until concrete information is provided, underscoring the growing concern for journalists operating in conflict zones where detention and disappearance remain significant risks.
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