Key point: The Syrian government says German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann, 36, is being held after she was found in Raqqa during a security sweep. Syrian officials say she and a Turkish colleague, identified by CPJ as Ahmed Polad, were discovered in a building described as an SDF "security headquarters," refused to disclose their identities and falsely claimed UN affiliation. Authorities say the pair tried to flee and are now formally detained while legal proceedings are prepared; no formal charges were disclosed. CPJ and Michelmann's lawyer have called for her immediate release and raised concerns about her health.
Syrian Government Confirms German Journalist Eva Maria Michelmann Is Detained After Raqqa Sweep
This is a locator map for Syria with its capital, Damascus. (AP Photo)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The Syrian government confirmed on Thursday that German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann, 36, who went missing in January, is being held in Syria.
Details of the Detention
Michelmann was last seen on Jan. 18, when, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), she and a Kurdish-Turkish colleague were reportedly detained by Syrian government forces during the seizure of Raqqa amid operations against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
In an official statement, Syria's Information Ministry said Michelmann and a Turkish man identified by CPJ as journalist Ahmed Polad were found during a sweep of Raqqa by Interior Ministry units in a building described as an SDF "security headquarters." The ministry said both "refused to disclose their true identities and possessed no official documentation verifying who they were."
The ministry added that during initial questioning the pair claimed to be engaged in humanitarian work, made no mention of journalistic activity, and asserted they were working for the United Nations — a claim the ministry said was later determined to be false.
According to the statement, the two then attempted to flee, were detained again on "suspicions that they may be foreign fighters present in Syria illegally," and have since been formally detained while legal proceedings are prepared for referral to judicial authorities. The statement did not specify any charges.
Responses From Media Organizations And Family
CPJ said both reporters worked for the Istanbul-based Etkin News Agency (ETHA) and for Özgür TV, which operates across several European cities. The organization has called on Syrian authorities to release Michelmann and provide clarity about her status.
Frank Jasenski, the German lawyer representing Michelmann and her family, said earlier this week, "We assume that her health is very, very poor and we demand her immediate release." The German Foreign Office confirmed it had been in contact with the detained journalist but declined to provide further details, citing privacy rules.
Wider Context
Syria’s government forces seized Raqqa during an offensive in January; the city had previously been under SDF control. The SDF and Damascus later reached a ceasefire and announced an agreement to integrate SDF elements into the national army. The ceasefire has held and the integration process has been moving forward gradually, but the country remains politically fragile following significant shifts in late 2024.
Human rights and press freedom organizations continue to monitor the case and press for access and transparent legal proceedings. CPJ and Michelmann’s legal representatives have urged immediate consular access and medical care.
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