Rights group calls for release of Syrian activist

Ali Abdullah of the Damascus Declaration opposition group
completed a 30-month prison term in June for earlier criticism of the
government. But instead of releasing him, authorities referred him to a
military court for a new trial on charges of broadcasting false news that harms
Syria's relations with another country.
The New York-based Human
Rights Watch said Abdullah had made statements from his prison cell critical of
Iran, a close ally of Syria.
In a statement Friday, HRW
said Abdullah's prosecution violates his right to engage in peaceful political
comment.

It
called for his immediate release.