Cologne, July 9, 2026
On July 9, 2026, a press conference was held in Cologne by the family members of journalist Eva Maria Michelmann and her attorney, Roland Meister, following Eva’s release and return to Germany and in light of the continued detention of Kurdish journalist Ahmet Polad (Mehmet Nizam Aslan). Participants included Rotraut Hake-Michelmann (Eva’s mother), Dr. Antonius Michelmann (brother), attorney Roland Meister, and Avîn Hummitzsch from the Rojava solidarity organization “People’s Bridge,” who served as moderator. Eva Michelmann also addressed the audience herself in a video message.
Avîn Hummitzsch opened the press conference with a summary of the events of the past few months since receiving news of the abduction of the two journalists from Raqqa. She summarized that Eva Maria Michelmann and Ahmet Polad were arrested on January 18 while conducting journalistic work in Raqqa, after which there was no official information for three months regarding the whereabouts or health status of the two journalists. Spurred by the “Freedom for Eva and Ahmet” initiative, solidarity efforts were launched that accompanied the release with political processes, as well as public pressure generated through intensive investigative work.
On June 19, Eva Maria Michelmann was released from Syrian custody and has returned to Germany. Avîn Hummitzsch expressed gratitude to the campaign’s supporters and announced that the initiative would continue its work under the slogan “Freedom for the Kurdish journalist Ahmet Polad.”.
Following this, attorney Roland Meister provided an overview of the past efforts and Eva Maria Michelmann’s detention. He emphasized that the investigation into the cases of Eva Maria Michelmann and Ahmet Polad was not yet complete. He pointed out that the statements made at the previous press conference on May 29, 2026, in Berlin, as well as the growing efforts of the solidarity initiative, had created pressure that successfully led to Michelmann’s swift release and return. The conditions of Eva Michelmann’s detention—during which she was held for 152 days, 90% of that time in solitary confinement—as well as the torture she endured while in custody, constitute criminal offenses under international law that must be investigated. The attorney also commented on the role of the German federal government. He pointed out that at the beginning of the case, information was shared via a press contact at *Der Spiegel* stating that the federal government had received word that Michelmann was in custody—even though this had been denied in response to inquiries from the attorneys and the family. “It is significant whether the federal government and the chancellor have been playing with a hidden hand and sacrificed two journalists for the sake of good relations with Syria,” said attorney Meister. Regarding Eva Michelmann’s current condition, he explained that she was doing well under the circumstances.
He went on to say that the release of the Kurdish journalist Ahmet Polad, who remains in detention, is also the responsibility of the German federal government. A certified power of attorney from the lawyer, intended to secure a visit with Ahmet Polad, was denied by the Syrian government on the grounds that this would amount to an admission that he is currently in Syrian custody. The lawyer representing him is said to have been insulted and turned away by Syrian authorities. Roland Meister pointed out that deportation to Turkey would result in further repression and imprisonment for the journalist, and emphasized the Turkish state’s continued disregard for the principles of the rule of law.
Rotraut Hake-Michelmann, mother of Eva Maria Michelmann, then began by thanking all the supporters who had contributed to her daughter’s successful return.
Dr. Antonius Michelmann, Eva Maria Michelmann’s brother, also expressed his gratitude to the journalists, initiatives, organizations, lawyers, and political parties that had worked on Eva and Ahmet’s case over the past few months. He pointed out that the criticism of the German federal government was justified and that it continues to fail to take a critical stance toward the Syrian government. He criticized the plans of the federal government and the chancellor to deport Syrian refugees to Syria in the future. Dr. Antonius Michelmann went on to say that the German federal government has a duty to advocate internationally for the protection of journalists and, accordingly, must also campaign for the release of journalist Ahmet Polad.
“Here, the Federal Foreign Office should let its actions speak for themselves in very concrete terms. We assure (Ahmet Polad’s) family that we will continue to advocate for their son’s freedom, as well as for the freedom of other political prisoners and abducted civilians—our voice belongs to them.”
Finally, a video message was played in which Eva Maria Michelmann made a statement. In it, she explained the following: “I have been held in complete isolation in Syria for months since the beginning of the year. I was locked up alone in a windowless room. I was told that no one would ask about me, as if the whole world had forgotten me. I was told that the German authorities do not respond to inquiries regarding my person. At the same time, I have been cut off from all contact with the outside world. I had to assume that perhaps no one knew what had happened to me on the night of January 18–19. For months, I had to assume that the people who know and love me believed I was dead. Upon arriving in Germany, I have now learned that, despite everything, hope was never abandoned, and thousands upon thousands searched for me and campaigned for my release.”
She expressed her gratitude to everyone who had fought for her freedom and for the right to Kurdish journalism, as well as especially to her family, coworkers, and friends.
Eva Maria Michelmann recounted multiple interrogations and transfers, during which she was, among other things, held with 20 women in a small cell that had no mattress. The German journalist then addressed the current situation in Syria:
“Please do not believe that the HTS regime in Syria is in any way democratic. Its methods are not even humane. Torture involving beatings and electric shocks are completely normal, standard interrogation methods in this regime’s prisons. Civilians are shot while fleeing and executed in broad daylight on the streets. No, Syria is not safe! No one seeking protection here in Germany should be forced to return to Syria through deportation! And no one should be left behind in the torture prisons of the HTS regime!”
She concluded her statement with a call not to abandon Syria and to continue the fight for the right to freedom of expression and critical journalism, as well as for the freedom of journalist Ahmet Polad and all political prisoners.
The press conference ended after questions from the press representatives and responses from the lawyer, family members, and the moderator.
