Barjes Awidat, a 47-year-old member of Israel’s Druse community, a resident of Majdal Shams, was released from a Syrian prison earlier this week after serving a 12-year sentence for espionage. Awidat was found guilty of spying for Israel. He was released in Suweida, a Druse city in Syria where he was waiting for arrangements to permit his return home. Deputy Minister of Regional Cooperation (Likud) Ayoub Kara was working to expedite his return.

Awidat was a dental student in Syria. One day, without explanation, he vanished and it took five years until his family learned that he had been accused of being a spy for Israel. He was eventually convicted and imprisoned.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)