Assyrian Democratic Organization demands disclosure of fate of kidnapped Archbishops

ZALIN, Syria — The Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) issued a statement on Thursday demanding the disclosure of the fates of Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Holeb (Aleppo) Youhanna Ibrahim and Greek Orthodox Archbishop Boulos Yaziji who were kidnapped under mysterious circumstances in Holeb (Allepo) in 2013.

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“The eighth anniversary of the kidnapping of the Archbishops of Aleppo, is still surrounded by a lot of questions and mysteries that still need satisfactory answers. Although the kidnapping of the Archbishops was not the first operation to target Christian clerics, it remains the most mysterious one. There is no confirmed information published or leaked neither about the kidnappers nor about the motives behind the kidnapping.

In addition, questions concerning the personality of Archbishop Youhanna Ibrahim and his spiritual, social, and national presence, speeches and positions expressed on many occasions and stations regarding the Syrian situation, highlighted him as an important Christian religious figure. It did not match the regime’s discourse in its description, approach and speech.

All this happened and the world remains silent. No in-depth and transparent investigations have been undertaken.

The Assyrian Democratic Organization, recalling this heinous crime with pain and sadness, calls to free the Archbishops and return them alive to their dioceses and country. We demand international and regional action to reveal the fate of the Archbishops and an open and transparent investigation with all parties related to the kidnapping, to prevent the crime from being forgotten.”

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