Despite appeals for release, still no information about fate of detained Christian protester Abd al-Masih Romeo arrested three months ago

BAGHDAD – Iraqi activists have made appealed to the authorities via social media concerning the health and whereabouts of Abd al-Masih Romeo, a Syriac-Assyrian youth who was arrested three months ago by Iranian-backed armed militias because of his participation in popular anti-government protests in Baghdad.

Appeals for information about the fate of Romeo have increased as days of disappearance have turned into months. Romeo was detained on 1 March near Al-Muthanna Airport in Baghdad according to several Iraqi activists.

A distress call was made by the disappeared’s sister, Susan Romeo. Susan wrote via social media to prominent figures appealing for his release.

Journalist Steven Nabil sympathized with Susan’s appeal and amplified her message, reaching out to anyone in a position of authority who could provide assistance or divulge information that may lead to Romeo’s release.

You are sending a troubling message to the Iraqis by continuing to ignore their calls to free Abdul Masih Romeo and others, an innocent protester captured by the militias and handed to the official security forces in Baghdad, he remains in jails for no reason. @MAKadhimi pic.twitter.com/PyhGrWsEa9

— Steven Nabil (@thestevennabil) May 24, 2020

Another activist described Abd al-Masih as a young Iraqi patriot who demonstrated peacefully with his brothers on 1 March and was arrested by the riot police, adding that “some information suggested that he is detained at Al-Muthanna Airport in Baghdad.”

Activist Sufyan al-Samarrai showed a copy of Abd al-Masih’s identity to prove that he is an Iraqi citizen.