A message on Twitter microblogging site cost Makkah’s East Arafat Hospital Director Bandar Al-Qadeer his job after he expressed his support for the murderous regime of Bashar Assad.

The tweet caught the attention of Health Affairs Department staff in the holy city and was forwarded to Abdullah Al-Moallami, the director general of the department. After assessing the tweet, Al-Moallami decided to fire Al-Qadeer from his position at the hospital.

Abdul Wahab Shalabi, the department’s spokesman, told local media the tweet represents the opinion of an individual staffer and not that of the Health Affairs Department or its employees.

In defense of his statement, Al-Qadeer said technical decisions should be separated from public opinion. “However, I understand the decision of the director-general and have no problem with it because they appointed me to this position, and thus have the right to let me go whenever they wish,” he said, adding that he posted the tweet last October.

However, Al-Qadeer argued that his comments were misunderstood as he stands against violence and supports the Syrian people in their demands to be free and self-governing. He added that he remains loyal to his leaders and his country, but has been forced to suspend his Twitter account after receiving numerous death threats.