 Naisse was held after organising public criticism of the regime |
A Syrian court has agreed to release on bail a prominent rights activist facing trial on charges of tarnishing the image of the state, his lawyers say. Aktham Naisse was arrested in April after publishing a human rights report.
His lawyers say he is next due in court in October. They said the decision to release him was a surprise.
"It is positive but it should apply to all political prisoners being tried by this unconstitutional special court," said defence lawyer Anwar al-Bunni.
Mr Bunni said the defence team had challenged Syria's state of emergency and the validity of the court.
Mr Naisse was due to be released on Monday or Tuesday, lawyers said, after being asked to post bail of about $200.
He faces a sentence of between three years and life if convicted.
The accused is head the Committees for the Defence of Democratic Liberties and Human Rights in Syria. He was detained shortly after he organised a rare demonstration outside Syria's parliament in Damascus calling for the lifting of emergency laws.
In spite of health problems, he went on a hunger strike in July to protest against his detention.
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