German journalist detained in Syria has been released

20 Jun 2026 • 1:21 AM MYT
DPA International
DPA International

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Image from: German journalist detained in Syria has been released
Rotraut Hake-Michelmann (R), mother of Eva Maria Michelmann, who was held in Syria, speaks at a press conference alongside her son, Antonius Michelmann (C) and the family’s lawyer Frank Jasenski, in April. Eva Maria Michelmann, a resident of Cologne, and the Kurdish journalist A. Polat disappeared in connection with a Syrian army offensive in the north of the country. (is associated with: «German journalist detained in Syria has been released») Oliver Berg/dpa

A German journalist arrested in Syria in mid-January, Eva Maria Michelmann, has been released, her family confirmed on Friday.

Her brother, Antonius Michelmann, told dpa she had been released, confirming reports published by the news magazine Der Spiegel.

Michelmann arrived from Jordan on Friday afternoon. "We went to collect her," her brother said. He added that she was doing well, given the circumstances.

He said that she had been held in solitary confinement for an extended period, but did not provide any further details.

The Syrian Ministry of Information said earlier that the journalist, who is from Cologne, was arrested on January 18 in the city of Raqqa during a military operation.

A Kurdish journalist, Ahmed Polad, who is a Turkish citizen, was also detained at the time. There is still no trace of this colleague, said Antonius Michelmann.