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Syria jails human rights activist Syria jails human rights activist
(about 1 hour later)
A Syrian human rights activist has been jailed for five years for spreading "hostile information" and joining an illegal political group, lawyers say.A Syrian human rights activist has been jailed for five years for spreading "hostile information" and joining an illegal political group, lawyers say.
Anwar al-Bunni, a prominent advocate for democratic reform in Syria, has been in detention since May 2006.Anwar al-Bunni, a prominent advocate for democratic reform in Syria, has been in detention since May 2006.
Correspondents say the heavy sentence sends a strong warning to the opposition and shows Syria has turned its back on western pressure to reform. Correspondents say the heavy sentence sends a strong warning to the opposition and shows Syria has turned its back on Western pressure to reform.
Al-Bunni was also ordered to pay a fine of about £1,000 ($2,000). Bunni was also ordered to pay a fine of about £1,000 ($2,000).
There has been no confirmation from the Syrian authorities who usually do not comment on trials related to political or national security issues. There has been no confirmation from the Syrian authorities, who usually do not comment on trials related to political or national security issues.
'Flagrant violation'
Bunni was arrested after signing an appeal for radical reform in relations between Syria and Lebanon in May 2006.
The Beirut-Damascus Declaration, calling on Syria to recognise Lebanon as a fully independent country, was signed by nearly 300 Syrian and Lebanese intellectuals.
Two prominent fellow signatories, Michel Kilo and Mahmoud Issa, have also been charged over the same petition.
A defence lawyer, Khalil Matouk, said he would appeal against Bunni's conviction within 30 days.
He called the trial politically motivated and "a flagrant violation of freedom of opinion and expression and an attempt to intimidate Syrian society".
The conviction was announced as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was in Damascus for tough talks with President Bashar al-Assad on two Lebanese issues.
Mr Ban wants Syria to support an international court to try the suspected killers of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and prevent arms smuggling to the Hezbollah militant group.