Washington D.C. – Committee to Protect Journalists, Apr. 27, 2026
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) calls on Syrian authorities to provide immediate and transparent information on the detention of German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann and the continued enforced disappearance of Kurdish-Turkish journalist Ahmed Polad, who sources say is being held in a Syrian detention facility. Despite confirmation from Michelmann’s family and the German government that she is in Syrian custody, officials continue to deny to CPJ any knowledge of the detention.
The two journalists, who worked for Istanbul-based socialist Etkin News Agency (ETHA) and Özgür TV, which operates across several cities in Europe, were last seen on January 18, 2026, when witnessed reported they were forced into a Syrian government vehicle during the takeover of Raqqa amid military operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). For months, Michelmann’s family was unaware of their fate or whereabouts, with authorities providing no information.
This month, Syrian authorities acknowledged that Michelmann is in their custody, according to her family and lawyer Roland Meister, who said a German government representative visited her at a detention facility in Damascus on April 23.
When contacted by CPJ, a source from Germany’s Federal Foreign Office said: “following intensive and high-level efforts through various channels, we gained direct access to Ms. Michelmann last Thursday and will now continue to provide her with consular assistance.”
