Syrian regime detains relatives of opposition peace talks delegation

The Syrian regime has reportedly arrested and detained relatives of opposition delegates partaking in the Geneva II peace talks in Switzerland; the US said on Wednesday.

The US State Department condemned the Syrian regime’s move and demanded the release of all those detained. “We call on the regime to immediately and unconditionally release all those unfairly arrested,” US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

The United States was “outraged by reports claiming the Al-Assad regime has detained relatives of the Syrian National Coalition who took part in the Geneva II peace talks.”

The second round of talks began on January 22 in Switzerland between Damascus and the opposition and lasted until February 15, but with no results.

The US State Department said the Syrian regime claimed that members of the opposition delegation were “terrorists” whose properties were confiscated by the state.

Psaki said: “By targeting family members of opposition delegates participating in the Geneva talks, the regime is not only defying the international community but also seeking to suppress the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.”

The United States supports moderate opposition in Syria and works to encourage the conflicting parties to agree to a political transition period, under the terms of the first Geneva conference of June 2012, which was never implemented.