PARIS, Feb 1 (KUNA) -- Imprisoned Syrian journalist Ayham Mustafa Gazzoul has died while being tortured at the hands of the Syrian Regime, Press NGO Reporters Without Borders (RWB) reported Friday.
Ghazzoul, 45, was a contributor to the Damascus-based Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) and was arrested on November 5, 2012, a statement said.
"We strongly condemn Ghazzoul's murder and our thoughts go out to his family and friends as well as to his SCM colleagues who are still detained," RWB secretary general Christophe Deloire said.
"We call for an investigation by the international peace envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, and for the release of all prisoners of conscience currently held in Syrian jails." Ghazzoul was already arrested in February 2012, before being released after being convicted of possession of illegal documents damaging to the State.
He was blamed for playing an important role with the SCM in documenting atrocities and human rights abuses by the regime of Bashar Al-Assad.
He died in detention at the Air Force Intelligence headquarters. (end) jk.bs KUNA 012156 Feb 13NNNN