Doubts over Truth SA’s claims
MOHAMED ABDUCTION: EVEN RED CROSS HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS
‘I’m worried because this group is making statements.’
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is the latest organisation to deny Truth Collective SA’s (TCSA) claim it had anything to do with negotiating the release of South African photojournalist Shiraaz Mohamed, kidnapped at gunpoint in Syria in January.
The revelation casts further doubt on claims by Truth Collective SA director Bakar al Maharmeh it is in the process of negotiating Mohamed’s release after he was captured by persons unknown in January.
“I have checked with my colleagues and the ICRC in Syria is not aware of this case,” said ICRC spokesperson Iolanda Jaquemet.
“Generally speaking, if requested by all parties in a conflict, the ICRC can play a role as a neutral humanitarian intermediary during prisoner swaps, be it in Syria or elsewhere.”
Al Maharmeh denied the ICRC’s claim and said he worked with the Syrian Red Cross. When asked for evidence about community projects his organisation had completed, he referenced TCSA’s Facebook page which, while carrying news of aid to Syria by other, mainly Russian, organisations, showed no actual work by TCSA.
Department of international relations and cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson Nelson Kgwete said yesterday Dirco “continues to work with Syrian authorities and other interested stakeholders, through its mission in Damascus, on efforts to free Mr Mohamed. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, we are unable to release details.”
He refused to say how Dirco
Due to the sensitivity of the matter, we are unable to release details.
Nelson Kgwete Dirco spokesperson
and Al Maharmeh had initially become involved and would not confirm if a trip for South African media and observers to Syria was being facilitated by Al Maharmeh, whose claims have been denied by the ICRC, Dirco, local community aid organisations and now the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium (Trac).
TCSA’s Facebook page, however, does show the group has high- level political connections in South Africa and Syria.
On November 18, it shows a photo of Al Maharmeh and others, with Deputy Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Nomaindiya Mfeketo, allegedly after having delivered a report a 2015 fact-finding mission to Syria.
“She was very enthusiastic about the community interaction and assured us that the meeting has opened a dialogue about Syria that will continue in future between her department and the community,” the post stated.
Trac director and 14-year veteran of the former National Intelligence Agency, Jasmine Opperman, said she had spoken to people in Syria who were unaware of the group’s claimed activities.
“No one can claim control and it remains a high-risk visit – the Assad government will most probably only take them to areas where they have control, which means the realities of Syria in a holistic manner will not be accessed,” said Opperman.
The Trac director added: “I’m worried because this group is making statements about negotiating with the rebels, and it comes out of nowhere.”