London - The family of Tauqir Sharif and CAGE are demanding the immediate release of British aid worker Tauqir Sharif by the opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which detained him, searched and seized his property last night. While the allegations are unclear, we are deeply concerned about his right to a fair hearing and access to his family and support network. CAGE calls on HTS to confirm that Tauqir Sharif is being treated humanely and provided with all his rights and due process. We ask HTS authorities to release Tauqir Sharif immediately and that any charges against him are clearly presented to him and his family as part of a clear and transparent legal process.
Moazzam Begg, Outreach Director for CAGE said:
“I met Tox in Syria in 2012. He’d left behind his life in Britain to help the people in Syria and has never left. For eight years, Tox and his wife Racquelle Hayden Best have built and run schools, mosques, homes and camps for refugees in Northern Syria. Tox is deeply loved and respected in Syria and is a household name among British Muslims. “Despite his immense sacrifices, Tox has endured assaults by the Asad regime, survived bombing attempts by ISIS and had his nationality revoked by the British government without any evidence presented against him.” “Tox has been detained by HTS secret police. I hope they understand how much Tox has endured in his efforts to help the people of Syria and that they return him to his family at once.”
Racqeulle Hayden Best, wife of Tauqir Sharif said:
“A man [Tox] who has given up everything to come here and help those who are oppressed...he always tells me no matter what, the ummah [community] comes first before everything. even before myself....and right now he needs that ummah to stand behind him and fight for justice.”
<span style="font-weight: 400;">London - The family of Tauqir Sharif and CAGE are demanding the immediate release of British aid worker Tauqir Sharif by the opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which detained him, searched and seized his property last night. </span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">While the allegations are unclear, we are deeply concerned about his right to a fair hearing and access to his family and support network. </span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">CAGE calls on HTS to confirm that Tauqir Sharif is being treated humanely and provided with all his rights and due process. We ask HTS authorities to release Tauqir Sharif immediately and that any charges against him are clearly presented to him and his family as part of a clear and transparent legal process.</span>
<h3>Moazzam Begg, Outreach Director for CAGE said:</h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“I met Tox in Syria in 2012. He’d left behind his life in Britain to help the people in Syria and has never left. For eight years, Tox and his wife Racquelle Hayden Best have built and run schools, mosques, homes and camps for refugees in Northern Syria. Tox is deeply loved and respected in Syria and is a household name among British Muslims. </span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“Despite his immense sacrifices, Tox has endured assaults by the Asad regime, survived bombing attempts by ISIS and had his nationality revoked by the British government without any evidence presented against him.”</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“Tox has been detained by HTS secret police. I hope they understand how much Tox has endured in his efforts to help the people of Syria and that they return him to his family at once.”</span>
<h3>Racqeulle Hayden Best, wife of Tauqir Sharif said:</h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">“A man [Tox] who has given up everything to come here and help those who are oppressed...he always tells me no matter what, the </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">ummah</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [community] comes first before everything. even before myself....and right now he needs that </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">ummah</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to stand behind him and fight for justice.”</span>
