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A6 WORLD NEWS
Thursday 18 augusT 2022
Syria denies it is holding American journalist Austin Tice

By ALBERT AJI and BASSEM bas Ibrahim met with U.S.
MROUE officials in Washington as
Associated Press part of mediation efforts
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — between the U.S. and Syria
Syria denied on Wednes- for Tice’s release. Ibrahim,
day it is holding U.S. jour- the chief of Lebanon’s
nalist Austin Tice or other General Security Director-
Americans after President ate, has mediated compli-
Joe Biden accused the Syr- cated hostage releases in
ian government of detain- the past.
ing him. In May, Biden met Tice’s
The Syrian Foreign Ministry parents and reiterated his
said in a statement that commitment to working
Damascus “denies it had toward “Austin’s long over-
kidnapped or is holding due return to his family.”
any American citizen on its In the final months of the
territories.” Trump administration, two
“The U.S. issued last week U.S. officials — including the
misleading and illogical government’s top hostage
statements by the Ameri- negotiator, Roger Carstens,
can president and secre- a former Army Special
tary of state that includ- Forces officer made a se-
ed baseless accusations cret visit to Damascus to
against Syria that it had Marc and Debra Tice, the parents of Austin Tice, who is missing in Syria, speak during a press seek information on Tice
kidnapped or detained conference, at the Press Club, in Beirut, Lebanon, Dec. 4, 2018. and other Americans who
American citizens including Associated Press have disappeared in Syria.
former U.S. Marine Austin It was the highest-level talks
Tice,” the statement said. Assad. Syria to return every Ameri- avenue for securing Aus- in years between the U.S.
Biden’s comments last “We know with certainty can. On Tice’s case specifi- tin’s safe return.” and Assad’s government,
week came in a statement that he has been held by cally, he said, the Biden ad- The Syrian Foreign Minis- though Syrian officials of-
released by the White the Government of Syria,” ministration has “engaged try denied in its statement fered no meaningful infor-
House to mark the 10th Biden said in his statement extensively and that in- having any secret contacts mation on Tice.
anniversary of Tice’s ab- last week. “We have re- cludes directly – with Syrian with U.S. officials on the Tice went missing shortly af-
duction, which took place peatedly asked the gov- officials and through third missing Americans, adding ter his 31st birthday on Aug.
when he was in Syria cov- ernment of Syria to work parties.” that “any official dialogue 14, 2012 at a checkpoint in
ering its lengthy conflict. with us so that we can bring “Syria has never acknowl- with the American govern- a contested area west of
Biden’s remarks were the Austin home.” edged holding him,” Price ment will only be public the capital of Damascus. A
clearest indication so far State Department Spokes- said of Tice, adding that based on the respect of video released a month lat-
that the U.S. is certain Tice is man Ned Price told report- “we are not going to be Syria’s sovereignty.” er showed him blindfolded
being held by the govern- ers on Tuesday that the U.S. deterred in our efforts. We In May, top Lebanese se- and held by armed men,
ment of President Bashar government has pushed are going to pursue every curity official Maj. Gen. Ab- saying, “Oh, Jesus.” q

El Salvador extends state of exception; 50,000 arrested

the measure to be widely government also can inter- tweeting the number of ar-
popular despite criticism vene in the calls and mail rests each day to heralding
from civil rights organiza- of anyone they consider a the days with no murders.
tions within and outside El suspect. The time someone The government is building
Salvador. Those groups and can be held without charg- a massive new prison.
relatives of the detained es is extended from three The gangs, which have
say people have been ar- days to 15 days. been estimated to count
rested without evidence The current period was set some 70,000 members in
or due process and jailed to expire Aug. 20. their ranks, have long ter-
for months already as they Those arrested typically rorized El Salvador. They
await trial. make initial appearances controlled swaths of terri-
Before the congressional en masse before a judge tory and extorted and killed
vote late Tuesday, a few where prosecutors ac- with impunity.
dozen protesters gathered cuse them belonging to “We have strongly impact-
outside the Legislative As- or associating with gangs. ed the terrorist structures,”
People arrested by police for having alleged links to gangs wait sembly calling for an end to Evidence is usually not pre- said Security Minister Gus-
in zip tie handcuffs in the back of a truck to be transferred to a
prison at the Police Delegation of San Bartolo in Soyapango, El the state of exception. sented. Judges have been tavo Villatoro in present-
Salvador, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. President Nayib Bukele almost automatic in order- ing the extension request
Associated Press requested extraordinary ing them held for six months to lawmakers Wednesday.
powers after gangs were pending trial, giving pros- “We have witnessed how
By MARCOS ALEMÁN approved another month- blamed for 62 killings on ecutors time to try to build Salvadorans were able to
Associated Press long extension of the state March 26. Under the state cases. enjoy the safest vacations
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador of exception that suspends of exception, the right of Bukele and his cabinet say in history,” referring to re-
(AP) — With 50,000 people some fundamental rights association, the right to be the measures are finally cent national holidays.
locked up since late March in the name of combat- informed of the reason for allowing the country to The proposal received the
for alleged gang ties, El ting the country’s powerful an arrest and access to a deal with its “terrorists.” The support of 66 of the body’s
Salvador’s congress has gangs. Polling has shown lawyer are suspended. The president has shifted from 84 lawmakers.q