Syria says missing German journalist found detained in Raqqa

Detention confirmed

Syrian authorities have confirmed that 36-year-old German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann, who disappeared in January, is being held in Raqqa alongside a Kurdish-Turkish colleague identified by the Committee to Protect Journalists as Ahmed Polad. The Information Ministry said both were discovered during an Interior Ministry sweep of a building formerly used by the Syrian Democratic Forces and accused them of refusing to disclose their identities, lacking official documentation and falsely claiming to work for the United Nations. The ministry said the pair attempted to flee, were suspected of being foreign fighters and have been formally detained with legal proceedings under way; it did not specify charges. Rights groups and media outlets say the two worked for Istanbul-based Etkin News Agency (ETHA) and Özgür TV, and a German lawyer has urged Michelmann’s immediate release, warning her health may be poor. The German Foreign Office says it has been in contact with the detained journalist but provided no further details.

Context

Syrian government forces seized Raqqa in January during an offensive that led to a ceasefire and an agreement to integrate the Kurdish-led SDF into national forces; the truce has largely held as Damascus seeks to extend its authority. The detention comes amid broader instability as new authorities installed after leadership changes in December 2024 work to consolidate control over territory fractured by years of civil war. as reported by AP News

This story has also been reported by: The Guardian, Enab Baladi, Syria Direct, SANA