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Damascus frees "pioneer" of Syrian psychology arrested on September 10
Nached Rafah, 66, was stopped by security at the airport in Damascus and accused of activities against the country. Paris had protested, and even Carla Bruni asked for her release. She was released home last night and is in good health.
Damascus (AsiaNews) - Rafah Nached, the 66 year old Syrian psychologist arrested last Sept. 10 at Damascus airport by Syrian security was released last night. Local AsiaNews sources confirm that Nached Rafah, is well, and is at home. Her release is part of an operation determined by the Syrian government to release prisoners 1180 "involved in the events in Syria who have no blood on their hands", as announced on state television. The family members of the psychologist, speaking from Paris, confirmed that "she is in good health, her voice is good and everyone has heaved a great sigh of relief, particularly in the political and security context that currently prevails in the country."
Rafah Nached was stopped as she left for Paris to be present at her daughter’s giving birth to her grandchild. She was then held in a secret prison for five days, and was "interrogated continuously." She was later transferred to the women's prison in Douma, north of Damascus, where her husband was able to briefly visit her twice a week. She was arrested on charges of "activities that may undermine the rule of law", and was refused bail, despite her fragile health.
Nached Rafah, a graduate of the University of Paris, was the first woman to practice as a psychologist in Syria, and founded the School of Psychoanalysis in Damascus. Her arrest has caused a stir in the world of psychoanalysis, and provoked the protest of the French Foreign Ministry. Many appeals for her release, including that of Carla Bruni, wife of President Sarkozy.
Nached Rafah set up weekly meetings attended by people of various confessions and elements of each party, aiming to exorcise a common sentiment in the country: fear. She shared her prison cell with a dozen other women, her husband says, "mostly common criminals, drug addicts, prostitutes, or women with mental health problems." In one of the appeals for her release it was written: "Rafah Nached continues to pursue her profession in jail. At first they were the children of prisoners who came to see her, then adults, and now the guardians. She listens to anyone who is suffering. "