Journalists Eva Maria Michelmann and Ahmet Polad (Mehmet Nizam Aslan), who were detained by the Syrian regime in Raqqa on January 18, are alive, according to witness accounts, and have been held in a prison in Aleppo.

Former detainees reported after a recent prisoner exchange that they had seen both of them there. A video containing these testimonies has reportedly been obtained by Michelmann’s lawyer and is expected to be submitted to German authorities.

According to these accounts, Polad was held in solitary confinement for a period before being briefly transferred to a shared cell. He had sustained injuries but is now said to be in stable condition. Multiple witnesses also confirm that a “German journalist” — very likely Michelmann — is among the detainees.

Reports further describe severe abuse, torture, and harsh detention conditions inside the facility.

“Where are Eva and Ahmet?” initiative and ongoing efforts

Numerous media outlets, NGOs, politicians, and activists have been working for weeks to shed light on the case of Eva and Ahmet.

Among these efforts is the initiative “Where are Eva and Ahmet?”, which focuses specifically on the disappearance of the two journalists.Germany’s Federal Foreign Office is also said to be engaged in the case.

However, the latest witness testimonies once again highlight that it has been the coordinated efforts of civil society networks that have most effectively helped trace the whereabouts of the missing journalists.

This makes it all the more urgent for German authorities to act transparently, present concrete findings, and significantly intensify their efforts.