The Kurdish Lawyers Union is closely monitoring the information received regarding the loss of contact with Reverend Nihad Hassan since his visit to the Afrin region with his family.

According to preliminary information obtained from informed local sources, Reverend Nihad Hassan, born on 3 August 1980, is originally from Korda Village (Gundê Gorda) in Jindires District, Afrin region. He currently resides in Beirut, Lebanon, where he serves as the pastor of the Kurdish Evangelical Church in Lebanon, providing pastoral ministry in Beirut, Zahle, and Tyre. He arrived in Afrin with his family on 19 July 2026 for a family visit. He is married and has two children.

Local sources reported that members of the General Security Service in Afrin detained Reverend Nihad Hassan in his home village shortly after 3:00 p.m. on 19 July 2026, following his return from Lebanon with his wife. According to these sources, his family was informed that the reason for his detention was “to conduct an investigation.”

According to subsequent information, Reverend Nihad Hassan is currently being held at the Afrin Civil Prison. He was questioned before an investigating judge in Afrin, after which his case file was referred to the judge with jurisdiction over cybercrime cases.

The sources further indicated that the prosecution is based on the provisions of the 2022 Cybercrime Law, in connection with posts published on social media. According to the available information, he is scheduled to appear before the competent cybercrime judge on 2 August 2026.

The sources also stated that the full reasons for his detention, and whether the proceedings are based on additional allegations, have not yet been officially disclosed. No competent authority has issued a statement clarifying the complete legal basis for the measures taken against him, leaving many aspects of the case in need of official clarification.

Reverend Nihad Hassan is well known for his religious and humanitarian work. He has devoted his efforts to pastoral ministry and humanitarian relief, particularly among Syrian refugees and displaced persons in Lebanon. Through his church ministry, he has also provided assistance and support to dozens of Kurdish families, especially those displaced from the Afrin region, and has established cooperative relationships with church and humanitarian organizations inside and outside Lebanon to serve people in need.

As this information remains subject to ongoing monitoring and documentation, we call upon the relevant authorities to ensure all of Reverend Nihad Hassan’s legal rights, including his right to legal counsel, his right to be clearly informed of the charges against him, and his right to a fair trial with all necessary legal safeguards, in accordance with international human rights standards.

We also emphasize the importance of respecting the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of thought and belief, and ensuring that no individual is subjected to adverse treatment on account of their religious beliefs or peaceful opinions except in accordance with the law and through judicial proceedings that fully guarantee the right to a fair trial.

Kurdish Lawyers Union
Monitoring, Documentation and Archiving Committee
Bonn, Germany
30 July 2026