Urgent Plea for Humanitarian Release: The Ordeal of Journalist Ahmet Polad

NEW YORK — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued an urgent, high-level appeal to Turkish authorities, demanding the immediate release of Ahmet Polad, a Kurdish-Turkish journalist whose harrowing journey through months of enforced disappearance in Syria has culminated in his imprisonment in Turkey despite his critical physical condition.

Polad, who also operates under the birth name Mehmet Nizam Aslan, was transferred to Turkish custody on September 8, 2026, following eight months of isolation. His lawyer, Özlem Gümüştaş, reports that the journalist is suffering from the severe physical and psychological consequences of prolonged torture and systemic neglect.

The Chronology of a Disappearance

The ordeal began on January 18, 2026, in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa. At the time, Polad—a reporter for the Etkin News Agency (ETHA) and the European-based Özgür TV—was embedded in the region to document the evolving security situation as government forces advanced on territories held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Polad was detained alongside German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann. For months, both the Syrian government and regional actors maintained a policy of silence, refusing to acknowledge the whereabouts or legal status of the two journalists. It was only after immense international pressure that authorities admitted to holding them in custody.

While Michelmann was released on June 19, 2026, the silence surrounding Polad continued, deepening fears for his life. It was not until early September that the veil of uncertainty was lifted, revealing a transfer process that human rights advocates have labeled a blatant violation of international law.

Timeline of Captivity and Transfer

• January 18, 2026: Polad and Michelmann are detained by Syrian authorities in Raqqa.
• January – June 2026: Polad undergoes a state of enforced disappearance, held in various locations—suspected to be primarily in Aleppo—without access to legal counsel, family, or the outside world.
• June 19, 2026: Eva Maria Michelmann is released; Polad’s whereabouts remain unknown.
• Early September 2026: Polad is transported from Aleppo to Idlib.
• September 8, 2026: Polad is handed over to Turkish intelligence operatives at the Syrian-Turkish border.
• September 8–10, 2026: Polad is transported, hooded and handcuffed, to the Turkish capital, Ankara, where he is held for two days.
• September 10, 2026: Polad is moved to Istanbul and subjected to a brief, 24-hour “accelerated medical assessment” at a hospital.
• September 11, 2026: A Turkish court formally orders his arrest.

A Catalogue of Brutality

The details provided by Gümüştaş paint a grim picture of systematic abuse. According to the lawyer, Polad was subjected to daily beatings and chronic starvation throughout his eight-month detention in Syria. His living conditions were designed to inflict maximum suffering; he was confined to a cell with a ceiling so low that standing was physically impossible, and he was denied access to fresh air or sunlight for the duration of his stay.

The transfer process was equally traumatic. According to Gümüştaş, Polad was kept in the back of a vehicle, handcuffed and with a bag over his head, during the transport from the border to Ankara. Despite the visible evidence of severe malnutrition and physical trauma—including, according to the lawyer, an infestation of lice—Turkish authorities proceeded with an arrest order on September 11.

"Ahmet Polad suffered horribly during his captivity in Syria," said Carlos Martínez de la Serna, CPJ’s Chief Programs Officer. "Now that he has been returned to Turkey, he belongs in a hospital, and most definitely not in a prison. Turkey must immediately release Polad to allow him to receive the medical treatment he needs, and Syrian authorities must account for what happened to him over the past months."

Legal Impasse and Lack of Transparency

The legal situation regarding Polad’s arrest remains opaque. Gümüştaş has been unable to review the arrest warrant, and the charges against the journalist remain classified under the pretext of state security. The lack of due process is compounded by the fact that throughout his captivity in Syria, Polad was never brought before a judge, nor was he permitted to communicate with his family or a legal representative.

Gümüştaş noted that the failure of Turkish intelligence to notify the family upon taking custody of Polad was a secondary violation of his rights. She is currently preparing an appeal against the arrest order, but her immediate focus remains securing permission for an independent medical examination and long-term hospital care.

Official Responses and Diplomatic Silence

The response from the involved states has been largely dismissive or non-existent. When contacted by the CPJ, the Turkish Ministry of Justice failed to provide a comment regarding the legality of the detention or the health status of the prisoner.

In Syria, the Ministry of Information offered little clarity. Omar Haj Ahmed, a spokesperson for the Ministry, stated that he was unaware of the transfer and that the government would "seek more information." This lack of institutional accountability has become a hallmark of the case, raising questions about the coordination between regional powers in the suppression of independent journalism.

Broader Implications for Press Freedom

The case of Ahmet Polad is not an isolated incident but a chilling example of the risks faced by journalists covering the Syrian conflict. By targeting reporters who document the intersection of Kurdish politics and regional military maneuvers, authorities are effectively enforcing a media blackout in contested zones.

Human Rights Concerns:

1. Enforced Disappearance: The use of secret detention centers without judicial oversight remains a tool of intimidation in the region.
2. Transnational Rendition: The handover of a journalist from one jurisdiction to another without public legal proceedings violates established international human rights norms.
3. Medical Neglect: By arresting an individual in need of urgent care and placing them in a carceral environment, the state risks irreparable harm to the detainee’s health.

The international community, particularly organizations focused on freedom of the press, views Polad’s case as a litmus test for Turkey’s commitment to the rule of law. As ETHA continues to publish reports on the conditions of his confinement, the demand for transparency grows louder.

Conclusion

As of September 18, 2026, Ahmet Polad remains behind bars in Istanbul. His health continues to decline, and the legal shadow cast over his case leaves him vulnerable to further abuse. The global journalism community stands at a crossroads: the struggle to secure Polad’s release is not merely about one man; it is a defense of the fundamental right to report from zones of conflict without the threat of abduction, torture, and state-sanctioned disappearance.

The CPJ, alongside various international rights groups, continues to monitor the situation, calling for the immediate provision of medical aid and a transparent judicial process that respects the rights of the accused—starting with his immediate release into the care of medical professionals.