On April 6, an interview with Casim Mihemmed was published on the media platform ETHA, shedding light on critical new details regarding the abduction of two journalists, Eva Maria Michelmann and Ahmet Polad, respectively German and Kurdish.

Mihemmed, who was present in the same building as the two journalists, provided valuable firsthand information about the events surrounding their capture. On January 18, the building was surrounded by forces affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government. His testimony offers key insights into the circumstances that led to the kidnapping of Michelmann and Polad, who were in the city of Raqqa to report on the ongoing conflict.

Casim Mihemmed reported that he was at the Revolutionary Youth Center in the Seyf El Dewlî district of Raqqa when Eva Maria Michelmann and Ahmet Polad arrived, seeking refuge due to the escalating threats from the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) armed forces surrounding the city. Regarding the two journalists, Mihemmed stated that Eva Maria Michelmann had arrived in Raqqa to report on the reconstitution of ISIS cells in the city. He described them as colleagues who aimed to document the ongoing war.

As the day continued, the situation inside Raqqa grew more volatile as tribal forces affiliated with the STG engaged in fighting within the city. Following this, the building where they were located was surrounded and placed under siege. The Syrian Democratic Forces, aware of the presence of civilians inside, initiated negotiations with the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) for their evacuation. Mihemmed specifically mentions one STG official involved in the evacuation process: Muhamed Abdulqani, the HTS Internal Security Director in Aleppo. Abdulqani, a recognized member of the Islamist HTS organization, was identified by several witnesses. Mihemmed recalls: “He made contact with the tribes and arranged for our exit.”

Mihemmed further describes the events: “After the security forces made contact, they evacuated us around 1:30 a.m. […] At first, [Michelmann and Polad] were with us until the security forces arrived. […] We saw them being placed into a separate vehicle, while our convoy proceeded in another direction. Eva and Ahmet did not join us. In accordance with the agreement, we safely arrived at Aqtan Prison, but Eva and Ahmet were not there. To this day, we have had no further information about their whereabouts. Why were they not brought along? Why did they not accompany us?”