Syria imposes travel ban on president's cousin

Move appears to be an attempt by Bashar Assad to show that he is serious about investigating bloodshed in Daraa

Published June 13, 2011 11:20AM (EDT)

A Syrian refugee woman walks in the new refugee tent compound in Boynuyogun, Turkey, near the Syrian border, Sunday, June 12, 2011. Syrian forces launched a crackdown on the Syrian town of Jisr al-Shughour on Sunday, fueling fears that the clashes could spark a further influx of refugees towards bordering Turkey.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (AP)
A Syrian refugee woman walks in the new refugee tent compound in Boynuyogun, Turkey, near the Syrian border, Sunday, June 12, 2011. Syrian forces launched a crackdown on the Syrian town of Jisr al-Shughour on Sunday, fueling fears that the clashes could spark a further influx of refugees towards bordering Turkey.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (AP)

A cousin of the Syrian president has been banned from traveling abroad as the government investigates into the violence gripping the country.

The move appears to be an attempt by Bashar Assad to show that he is serious about investigating the bloodshed.

State-run SANA news agency says the ban was imposed on Brig. Gen. Atef Najib, who ran the security department in the southern province of Daraa. The uprising erupted there in mid-March after the arrest of 15 teenagers who scrawled anti-government graffiti.

Judge Mohammed Deeb al-Muqatran of the Special Judicial Committee says the travel ban is precautionary in order for Najib to be available for questioning.

Al-Muqatran was quoted as saying on Monday that "no one has immunity, whoever he is."

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

BEIRUT (AP) -- A cousin of the Syrian president has been banned from traveling abroad as the government investigates into the violence gripping the country.

The move appears to be an attempt by Bashar Assad to show that he is serious about investigating the bloodshed.

State-run SANA news agency says the ban was imposed on Brig. Gen. Atef Najib, who ran the security department in the southern province of Daraa. The uprising erupted there in mid-March after the arrest of 15 teenagers who scrawled anti-government graffiti.

Judge Mohammed Deeb al-Muqatran of the Special Judicial Committee says the travel ban is precautionary in order for Najib to be available for questioning.

Al-Muqatran was quoted as saying on Monday that "no one has immunity, whoever he is."


By Bassem Mroue

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